
(lass 

Book 



HOURS OF DEVOTION: 



TRANSLATED 



from mm 



THIRTEENTH GERMAN EDITION: 



Br 



i 

A MEMBER OP THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF LETTERS, 




PUBLISHED, 

I BY BLISS AND WADSWORTH, NEW YORE 
JAMES KAY Jr. & BROTHER, PHILADELPHIA i 
I AND JOHN I. KAY & GO. PITTSBURG. 

1834, 



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$4r 



Entered, in the Ckrks Office of the Eastern District of 
Pennsylvania, ir 1834. By Tbeo. Feitx, according to Act ef 
Congress. 



s?s* 



Haerisburo^ Pa« 
Printed by 
THEO. FENN, 



CONTENTS. 



Introductory Reflections 

New Year's Meditations 

Family Devotion 

Public ¥ Worship 

Domestic Peace 

Contentment with our Situation in Life 

The Proper Select : on of our Enjoyments 

False Economy 

The Father 

The Mother 

Domestic Sorrow 

The Evi:s of Poverty 

The Pleasures of Poverty 

The Evils of Wealth 

The Pleasures of Wealth 

The Religion of Childhood (First Reflection) 

The Religion of Childhood (Second Reflection) 

The Newly Married 

Matrimony (First Reflection) 

Step Parents .... 

Matrimony (Second Reflection) 

Unmarried Life (First Reflection) 

Unmarried Life (Second Reflection) 

Old Age ..... 

The Art t f Reaching* an Old Age (First Reflection) 

The Art of Reaching an Old Age (Second Reflection) 

The Farmer 

The Mechanic 

Philanthropy 

Night 

Patriotism and Death 

Harmony Among Citizens 

The Calamities of Nations 

The Departure of Winter 

Power of Prayer 

Danger of Hastily Formed Pious Resolutions 

The Necessity of Faith 

Love and Fear of God (First Reflection) 

Love and Fear of God (Second Reflection) 

frsyer , , , 



PREFACE. 

The following pages have been translated with the view 
to interest and instruct the American reader, more than for 
the purpose of spreading before the public a literal transla- 
tion of the original. Some passages have occasionally 
been omitted on account of their idiomatical obscurity; — 
others because it was thought they contained but little inter- 
esting to the American public. In some instances, also, when 
the text appeared to be unnecessarily diffuse, it has been 
abbreviated, while at the same time great care has been 
taken to preserve the full meaning and spirit of the author. 

The intelligent reader need scarcely be informed that 
there is, in many respects, a wide difference between the 
manners, and customs of Germany and America ; and that 
these tend in a great degree to embarrass the translation of 
a work that was written solely for the moral and religious 
improvement of the former and its adaptation to the views, 
feelings, and circumstances of the latter. Under these cir- 
cumstances it has been a particular desire, in the selec- 
tion which compose the present volume, to choose such 
subjects as more particularly condemn the vices and immor- 
alities, which, in a greater or less degree, our national 
and individual character partakes. With what success this 
task has been accomplished, it is for the public to judge. 



Note Owing to the hurry of the press, a few typo- 
graphical, and other errors were overlooked, until too late 
for correction ; but none, perhaps, that will materially injure 
the sense. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



INTRODUCTORY REFLECTIONS. 

I have visited alike, the humble cottage, the noisy camp, 
and the glittering palace. In all places I have found man- 
kind disposed to religious conversation- — anxious for an im- 
provement of heart, and striving to live in this world, so 
as to secure a brighter existence in the world to come. But 
alas ! those holy desires are too often neglected, or lost, in 
the pursuit of worldly pleasure and dissipation. It is 
thus that we sometimes assume entirely opposite natures. 
In the temple of God, we are full of meekness and devo- 
tion ; in the bustle and crowd of the world, full of deceit 
and hypocrisy. 

I have often found a pretension to religion, without its 
reality ; the fear of God, without the love of him ; a deter- 
mination to do good deeds, without bringing them into 
practice ; and an outward show of devotion to Christ, with- 
out being one of his disciples or followers. 

A thousand voices are complaining of the decay of 
Christianity. It is not without cause. On one hand I ob- 
serve idleness, mockery and pride, leading away their vic- 
tims in foolish pursuits, and weakening the warning voice 
of the inward judge ; — on the other, I behold both young and 
old, from the sprightly youth to the hoary headed man, 
tormenting themselves with fearful doubts of the existence 
of a God, the realities of an eternity, and the future state 
of their souls ; thereby depraving the public mind, and de* 

1 



6 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

stroying domestic peace and happiness ; accompanied with 
a thousand appalling circumstances. 

The present decline of Christianity, and destruction of 
moral order, is partly owing to the late wars ; as also, to 
many injurious and superficial writings, that unhappily, 
are often read with a superficial understanding. But there 
are also, many other sources, from which stream our misery. 
I will grieve no one by nameing them. I aim at a more ex- 
alted object ; and cheerfully will I close my eyes in the hour 
of dissolution, if I have, in the least degree, succeeded in 
furthering the cause of true religion, by restoring domestic 
piety and devotion. 

Nothing inclines our hearts so much to the performance 
of good and christian actions, as a communion with God, 
in an hour of solitude. The soul is then free from the 
trammels of all earthly things, and returns to the fountain 
of eternal light and life, from which it had its origin. 
Could there be a more beautiful picture of domestic happi- 
ness, than that of the father and mother, in the circle of 
their beloved offspring, entertaining each other with rational 
ideas of their creator — his majesty and power— -the sub- 
limity oi his works — the infinitude of his wisdom and good- 
ness — the religion of Jesus Christ, and the prospect of 
happiness beyond the grave ? What a delightful sensation 
steals through their minds upon an occasion like this ; and 
with a tear of emotion, they inwardly resolve, while pilgrims 
on the earth, to live worthy of his name. Those who have 
already experienced these feelings, will acknowledge the 
truth of my words, and those who have not, should strive 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

without ceasing, to possess themselves of so rich a treasure, 
which the world can neither give nor take away. 

For the promotion and increase of virtue and happiness, 
these pages are intended to contribute. To the youth who 
go forth into the world, with a thousand anticipations of 
good and evil, they shall be warmly devoted. May they 
impart to them a proper sense of their own dignity — fill 
them with gladness and joy, and inspire them with religious 
courage in the hour of danger and difficulty. They shall 
likewise be devoted to the father and mother, who are 
quietly gliding down the pathway of existence ; and may 
they tend to elevate their souls to God, and influence them 
so to train up their children in christian meekness and sim- 
plicity, as to render them an offering fit for heaven. To the 
aged and solitary, who, in the evening of their days look 
forward to the dawning of an eternal life, they are also 
designed to afford useful and salutary instruction* 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



NEW YEAR'S MEDITATIONS. 

There is something very solemn in the commencement 
of a new year. It is like the stillness of the sabbath, when 
we pour out our souls in secret devotion, to the invisible 
creator. The pealing of bells, and sounding of trumpets, 
mingled with holy songs, welcome its approach. The youth 
are shouting with exultation. Friends and acquaintances 
are wishing each other happiness. Children are sending 
up prayers for the welfare of their parents — the poor for 
that of their benefactors — and the people, assembled in their 
churches, are more fervent in their supplications for the 
prosperity of their rulers. 

The lapse of a year is equally important to all : to the 
king on his throne, as to the peasant in his cottage : to the 
father in the midst of his workmen, as to the mother in the 
circle of her children : to the old and wearied man upon his 
couch, as to the buoyant and sprightly youth, who is full of 
joyful expectations. 

We look upon the past as a dream, and the future is 
spread out before us as the mist that hangs upon the moun- 
tain top. To the melancholy, there are forebodings of 
misery and wo : to the sprightly, there are anticipations of 
happiness and joy. Every one is looking eagerly forward, 
and anxious to read his destiny, that lays concealed in the 
dark and unrevealing future. 

With uncertain hopes and expectations, every one now 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 9 

resumes his business, and forms new schemes and projects. 
The christian, also, commences his life anew, under the in- 
fluence of fear and hope. But with what sentiments does 
he enter upon the new year, that is to bring with it some 
new joy or sorrow ? He seeks the depths of retirement and 
solitude, where his soul holds eloquent communion with 
itself, and pours forth his thanksgivings to the throne of the 
Eternal. Hear his prayer : — 

"lam unworthy of the great love and mercy which 
thou hast shown me ! Thou art the disposer of every bless- 
ing that I receive ! Thou hast guided me through a thou- 
sand dangers of which I was ignorant ! In all my sorrows 
and troubles, thou wast with me ! Thou didst watch over 
me and my family, sinful and wicked as we were ! What- 
ever may have appeared mysterious in thy providence 
during the past year, was no doubt, intended for my good ! 
With what infinite wisdom dost thou govern the universe, 
and direct every thing so as to contribute to the happiness 
of man ! 

" Oh, God! thou art full of goodness and mercy ! Watch 
over me, and my family, and my kindred ! Do not desert 
us, even though we should forsake thy ways ! Thy erring 
children, weeping and sorrowful, are ever glad to be restored 
to thy love. 

" Oh Lord ! thou hast ever guarded over and protected 
me! I pray thee still to extend to me thy tender mercies ! 
Full of confidence, I look to thee for support ! I will cling 
to thee, as the tender infant clings to the embrace of its 
parent ! I will follow the precepts of thy beloved Son, and 



10 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

be satisfied with whatever evil or good may attend me in the 
coming year ! 

" Oh. most heavenly Father ! like an ignorant child I 
make known to thee my wishes, but thou wilt only grant 
me those which will be beneficial to me ! I will resign my- 
self, and my kindred, and all who are dear to my heart, 
into thy hands, for Thou, alone, art God ! I will divest my- 
self of every fruitless sorrow and vain hope, and rely only 
on thy providence for support !" 

We should not anticipate too much of evil or good that 
may await us in the future. Both are equally pernicious. 
Neither be deluded by hope. It ever leads men astray. 
When they confidently expect to realize some good fortune, 
without any sure foundation, they are apt to regulate their 
projects in accordance with those deceitful views, and when 
it is too late, find they have been engaged in a blind and 
foolish enterprize. We seldom recollect how frequently we 
have already been deceived in our expectations. 

When we are disappointed in our hopes, we grow peevish 
and are compelled to endure many bitter moments, which 
we might have easily avoided. Hopes deceived, are always 
accompanied with pain, sometimes rendering us unjust to 
our fellow men, and scoffers at the goodness of God. But 
we must blame ourselves alone ; it is the result of our own 
foolishness and imprudence. 

Be not too ardent in your hopes, or you will be unpre- 
pared for any incidental evil that may befal you. If you 
flatter yourself with glowing prospects, it renders you ef- 
feminate, and you will be unable to brave the storm that 



HOTJRS OF DEVOTION. 11 

may unexpectedly break in upon you. The christian pre- 
pares himself for every extremity, and is armed with courage 
to stand fearlessly forth in the hour of peril, even as the 
unshrinking soldier in the presence of his enemy. He looks 
to heaven and is satisfied with its decrees. If he experien- 
ces an unexpected joy, or encounters an unexpected misfor- 
tune, he regards both with the same christian and exemplary 
spirit. 

Hope only to earn thyself happiness by a just and vir- 
tuous conduct This hope will seldom disappoint thee. 
Virtuous actions always have their reward. Leave ofFthy 
vicious habits, and thou wilt be respected by those who 
despise and hate thee. Thy amiable qualities — thy engag- 
ing manners — thy desire to serve others without selfishness 
— thy endeavour to speak good of every one — thy zeal in 
business that is entrusted to thee — a withdrawal from all 
indecent things ; these, will secure to thee the confidence 
and love of those who now look with indifference and con- 
tempt upon thee. In what does our permanent happiness 
consist, but in so demeaning ourselves, as to be satisfied 
with our own conduct, and gain the respect and esteem of 
all good men ? If thou art unhappy, it is thy own fault. 
Divest thyself of thy evil propensities, which render thee 
hateful to those around thee, and destroy thy peace and 
serenity of mind. Do not foolishly expect happiness at 
the hands of others, which thou canst better and more per- 
manently create for thyself. If it seems too difficult for 
thee to correct the evil of thy ways, then cease thy bitter 
complaints, for thou hast not the courage or resolution to 
strive after happiness. 



12 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

Hope only for that reputation and wealth, which thou 
canst honestly acquire by thy own industry and perseve- 
rance. Depend always on thyself and the goodness of 
God, rather than the assistance of other men, or on inci- 
dental circumstances. The more we learn to depend upon 
our own exertions, the more noble and exalted we become, 
and better able to accomplish every good. Why then 
shouldst thou hope for great riches ? Is it not because it 
flatters thy vanity ? Thou shouldst learn that he who is not 
contented with what he can acquire by his own industry, is 
not deserving of any greater blessing. 

Hope only for that degree of joy in this world, which thy 
own prudence in human life will secure to thee. Be guided 
by thy own experience. God gave thee reason and under- 
standing, to be the creator of thy own happiness. Avoid 
all hazardous undertakings ; be prudent in thy expenditures ; 
careful in the choice of thy friends ; avail thyself of every 
means to profit honestly by thy trade or occupation ; show 
a proper respect to those whose opinions or standing in so- 
ciety is different from thine own ; then thou wilt avoid much 
uneasiness of mind, and the circle of thy friends wilt be 
unto thee a paradise, which will prove a far greater trans- 
port, than all those fanciful, but deceptive pictures of thy 
hopes. 

Time is as an empty field, whereon grows neither good 
nor evil of itself. Like the husbandman, thou must culti- 
vate it. What thou sowest, that shalt thou also reap. If 
thou scatterest the seed of prayer, and shalt nurture it by 



HOTJES OF DEVOTION. 13 

thine own prudence and care, the dews and sunshine of 
heaven will reward thee with a golden harvest. 

If thou shouldst meet with sudden happiness or good 
fortune, it will be the sweeter and more blessed to thy soul. 
Oh, how great is the goodness of our creator ! In the com- 
ing year, he will shower upon us many unexpected bless- 
ings ! 

Do not live in constant fear. We suffer more from the 
anticipation of evil, than the misfortune itself. It poisons 
the health, and destroys many little pleasures which we 
might otherwise enjoy. Fear with some men becomes an 
evil habit ; they are always complaining, and forever tor- 
menting themselves with foolish apprehensions. In their 
madness, they deprive themselves of every worldly enjoy- 
ment. 

Unnecessary fear renders us spiritless, and causes us 
to adopt a wrong mode of life. Prudence will teach us to 
avoid all fruitless anxiety of the mind, and calmly to par- 
take of the enjoyments of the present. It will also enable 
us in the hour of affliction, to diminish our apprehensions of 
evil, and increase the brightness and fervor of our hopes. 
The mariner in the midst of the ocean, is delighted with a 
clear sky, and a favorable breeze. Then, should he torment 
himself with apprehensions of storms and shipwreck ? — 
but clouds are gathering in the heavens ! — a fearful storm 
is beginning to rage — the wind is howling and leaping 
through the sails, and the roaring and angry billows threaten 
him with destruction ! Unnecessary fear would increase 
his danger. But he confidently trusts in God, who accom- 



14 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

panies him through the perils of the deep ; and, collecting 
his strength, he manfully contends with the wind and 
waves, and saves himself from the jaws of destruction. 

Lessen thy fears, and if thou hast been hitherto unhappy 
or comfortless, experience will teach thee that life is never 
without its changes. If the morning is clouded, the bright- 
ness of noon may chase away the obscurity. Unmingled 
joy or sorrow, is seldom of long duration. Why should 
we despair at the setting of the sun, when we know he will 
smile upon us so soon again ? Consider the whole extent 
of thy present adversity, and if every thing on earth is dark 
and desolate, remember that God will never forsake thee. 
Then do not despair ! 

Fear not, for God is always with thee. If thou shouldst 
be left without hope, or the enjoyments of life, thou hast 
still a treasure in the inexaustible goodness of thy creator. 
If death has deprived thee of a relative or friend, do not 
give way to unavailing grief over their graves. Thou art 
also a wanderer to eternity, and will meet them in the skies. 
If thou hast suffered by the injustice of thy neighbors ; if 
the malice of thine enemies hath afflicted thee ; if the deso- 
lating hand of war hath deprived thee of thy property ; let 
not thy courage forsake thee, for he who watches over the 
stars, will not fail to number thy tears. Strive to think that 
the sufferings thou hast endured the past year, were only a test 
of thy christian virtues ; a lesson to govern thy future life. 
Thou wert born for another world, and not for this shadow of 
earthly existence. By virtue, and wisdom, and greatness 
of soul, thou wilt one day be fitted for the enjoyments of 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 15 

heaven. The evils of this life, therefore, which exist but 
for a moment, tend to increase and strengthen the power 
of thy mind, and prepares thee for eternal glory. 

Thou hast nothing but thyself to fear ; for thy imprudence 
and uncontrolled passions, are thy most formidable enemies. 
If thy present situation is painful to thee, encounter thy 
difficulties with christian fortitude. Consider, maturely, 
those means by which thou canst best relieve thy distress ; 
and thy heavenly father, who watches over the smallest 
worm, will give thee his assistance. 

To thee, Oh, Lord, I cheerfully surrender myself, and 
whatever may happen to me in the ensuing year, shall not 
estrange my affections from thee. If thou art with me, 
why should I be terrified or discouraged ? With the new 
year, I will endeavour to live more worthy of thy holy 
name ; and whatever pain and struggling it may cost me, I 
will strive to lay aside my vicious inclinations, which secretly 
ruin me. 

Should the present year be appointed for my death, may 
I be prepared to stand before thee, with a purified spirit, 
while the tears of my friends are bedewing my grave. I 
will prepare myself for the event, and look upon it as the 
signal, that is to call me away to the enjoyment of unmingled 
happiness, which thy infinite goodness has prepared for the 
righteous in the world to come. 



16 HOTTES OF DEVOTIOK. 



FAMILY DEVOTION. 



It is a beautiful thing to behold a family at their devotions. 
Who would not be moved by the tear that trembles in the 
mother's eye, as she looks to heaven, and pours forth her 
fervent supplications, for the welfare of her children ? Who 
can look with indifference upon the venerable father, sur- 
rounded by his family, with his uncovered locks, kneeling 
in the presence of Almighty God, and praying for their 
happiness and prosperity ? In whose bosom is not awakened 
the finest feelings, on beholding a tender child, in the beauty 
of its innocence, folding its little hands in prayer, and im- 
ploring the invisible, yet eternal father, to bless its parents, 
its brothers and sisters, and its playmates. 

It can not be denied, that in former times, there existed 
more true piety, than at present ; nor that there was more 
integrity and nobleness of soul ; more philanthrophy and 
domestic bliss ; with less of selfishness, hypocrisy and foul- 
mouthed slander. 

With what is termed the refinement of our manners, has 
partly disappeared our sense of religious duty. We think 
chiefly of wild and extravagant pleasures. We seek for 
happiness in the pomp and show of the world, when we 
might have found it in our own bosoms. There are certain 
persons who affect to believe, that a public manifestation of 
their religious feelings, would be a disgrace ; but they do 
not hesitate to mingle in idle, indecent and riotous assemblies. 



HOURS OP DEVOTION. 17 

They would not be found reading their bible, but they are 
ready to peruse corrupt and immoral books. Thus the heart 
grows desolate, even in the midst of its fancied improve- 
ments ; and in its desires, descends to the level of the brute. 
The carelessness and immorality of parents, are frequent- 
ly destructive of the peace and prosperity of their families. 
But many will yet return to the simple and exemplary life 
of our forefathers, and be reinstated in their virtues. 

Public worship, is of inestimable value. But it often 
becomes a mere habit. In the dissipations of life, the heart 
grows cold, and ceases to employ itself with the things of 
heaven. How soon do those beautiful impressions vanish 
from our minds ! How soon are the holy vows and repent- 
ant tears, which accompanied them, forgotten or despised ! 
It seems we would only be christians on the Sabbath, ag 
though every day in the week was not equally worthy of 
our devotion to God. 

We should not make a vain show of our religion. 
Christian meekness will be found in a solitary corner ; but 
the hypocrite sounds his trumpet, and goes forth into the 
streets, that he may have glory of men.* 

How delightful, on the contrary, is piety and devotion, 
when brought within the limits of a single family. Here, 
the father and mother become the priest and priestess of 
the Almighty! Here is erected the temple of God! Here 
assembles the little family, after the labour of the day is 
completed! Here they look abroad into the heavens, and 
gaze upon the glittering stars — proclaiming the magnificence 

* Matthew, vi. 2. 
2 



18 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

of their creator — and while they believe they can trace m 
them, the existence of other beings, similar to themselves, 
who may at the same time be worshipping God, they rejoice 
to think that their own prayers, will also ascend, in the 
stillness of night, to the invisible and all pervading spirit. 

These devotions operate even upon the hearts of little 
children. They behold their parents full of humbleness 
and reverence, and their minds receive the impress of those 
feelings and emotions. Therefore, accustom your children 
to prayer in early life. They may not comprehend its 
meaning, but it impresses them with the idea of a superior 
being ; and when their understanding is awakened, they 
will the more readily appreciate its importance. 

Prayer, to have its proper effect upon the heart, must 
not always be the same. It must gush from the fountains 
of the soul, or otherwise, it becomes a task, merely for 
the memory, in which the feelings do not participate. And 
is not this a mockery? There can be but little devotion, 
when the mind wanders from the solemnity of those high 
duties. A single earnest thought of the Divine goodness, 
is worth a thousand passionless prayers. 

If the father and mother be not always inclined to pray 
from the impulse of their own feelings, there are many 
excellent prayer books, written by pious and worthy men, 
that will embellish and improve the mind, and infuse into 
us their spirit and devotion. The prayers of our relations 
and friends, when assembled together, leaves a vivid im- 
pression^ upon the mind. It is good that the mother should 
instruct her children betimes, to return thanks to the 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 19 

Creator, not by any written form of words, but rather by 
training their minds to good and virtuous impressions. 

There are numberless inducements to engage in the 
simplicity of family devotion. It is not necessary to be 
always repeating the name of the Lord; lest it might be- 
come a pernicious habit. In our daily avocations, w r e 
should think only of our business ; but in prayer, we should 
not suffer our minds to go astray : We will find it impossi- 
ble to attend to two things at a time. 

Hark ! — the dull sounds of the muffled bell, break upon 
the ear ! — The coffin of a neighbor is moving slowly and 
mournfully along. The husband grasps the hand of his 
wife — eternity opens more vividly to their view — they 
strengthen their faith, and rely with still greater confidence 
upon the goodness and providence of God. Here is do- 
mestic devotion ! 

The spring has returned and is scattering her flowers 
upon the earth ; the lark is singing merrily in the skies ; 
the nightingale is whispering its notes in the distant grove, 
and gladness and joy pervade the whole creation. The 
delighted father describes to his listening son the wonder- 
ful works of nature, and the order and regularity of its 
government, until their minds are lost in wonder and ad- 
miration. Here, indeed, is domestic worship ! 

A family passes away many lonely hours, without any 
other enjoyment, than that of their own society. Then, 
how pleasant it is to engage in cheerful conversation, and 
sometimes reflect upon the more serious concerns of 
life. Let some instructive book, or sermon, or chapter in. 



20 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

the bible ; the songs of David, or the history of Jesus 
Christ, be read aloud, while the family listens with an 
attentive ear. The understanding is hereby improved; 
virtue appears in all her beauty and loveliness ; vice, in its 
hideousness and deformity; the flame of devotion is en- 
kindled in every heart, and the soul seems to have leaped 
into the more immediate presence of the Deity. 

These few examples will show the manifold inducements 
to domestic worship. But it is not necessary to be always 
exhorting and entreating each other to be good. An excess 
of devotion will weary the mind. To the father and mo- 
ther, and to the world at large, we would say, that the 
most effective sermon, is that of a virtuous and exemplary 
life. Your example will be more powerful than your words; 
your actions, more heeded than your instructions. 

The tender and industrious parents, the obedient and 
affectionate children, the honest and faithful domestics; 
these are the constant worshippers of God. Their whole 
conduct is upright and just. The piety of their souls 
shines forth in all their actions. Other men may have 
thrown aside their devotional feelings in the bustle of life ; 
they may have forgotten the high resolves and noble pur- 
poses of soul, which were sealed with a vow in the hour of 
tribulation ; yet these remain with us, faithful to the last, 
and mingle their prayers and thanksgivings with our own. 

There is a sublimity in private devotion, in which every 
one more or less participates. It increases our worth and 
respectability in the estimation of the world. It familiar- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 21 

izes us with God; and we commune with him, not as 
strangers, but as little children with their parents. 

The prayers which we offer to God in the stillness of 
solitude or in the midst of the family circle, seems purer 
and holier, and contributes more immediately to our do- 
mestic bliss and happiness. We avoid every immorality 
common to those who do not hold themselves responsible 
to the Almighty. A conscience void of reproach diffuses 
an inexpressible serenity over the mind, and imparts new 
pleasure to our existence. 

O Lord, I am thankful that I am no stranger to thee ! 
I would be unworthy of thy blessings, even for a single 
day, if I ceased to call upon thy holy name ! Thy son 
prayed, even in the solitary garden of Gethsemane. I, 
too will go out into the lonely places of the earth, and 
though far from my home, I will worship thee in spirit 
and in truth ; for thou art omnipresent and will be found 
amid the rocks and mountains, as in the temple that is con- 
secrated to thy service. 

In me, O Lord, thou reignest, and why should not thy 
precepts govern my household ? Shall we profane with 
sin and wickedness, the chamber in which we have so fer- 
vently prayed ? Shall we utter falsehoods and lies, on the 
spot where we have so often knelt in worship before thee? 
Shall we indulge in envy and slander and hatred, in the 
place where we have so often called upon thee to bless us ? 
No! Where should we find peace or happiness on earth 9 
if, by our transgressions, we convert our own cottage into 
a hell? I know the blessings that flow from domestic de« 



22 HOURS OF DEVOTION* 

votion; and will enjoy its delights. My thoughts Q 
Lord, sleeping or awake, shall be upon thee ; and when I 
lie down in the hour of death, and close my eyes for the 
last time on earth, I will awake to recollection in a better 
world, and rejoice in thy glory and magnificence. There 
thou wilt be no stranger to me 1 There I shall meet my 
family and kindred, with the spirits of the just made per- 
fect. 



HOURS OF DEVOTI02T. 23 



PUBLIC WORSHIP. 



There would be no religion upon earth, without the 
ceremony of public worship. The king and his subjects 
partake alike of its blessings. 

Shall public worship, in a christian country, receive the 
disapprobation and contempt of those, who boast of en- 
lightened understandings? There are individuals who 
think it gives them a sort of public notoriety, to think and 
act differently from their christian brethren and sisters. Is 
our religion inferior to that of the heathens, that it cannot 
awaken those feelings of sublimity, which they experience 
in their idolatrous worship ? 

Examine well thy reasons, for withdrawing thyself from 
the house of God. Is it not a want of religious feelincr 
that prevents thee from appreciating the beauty and holi- 
ness of prayer, and to look upon it as an idle and superflu- 
ous custom? Does thy vanity lead thee to suppose, that 
thy impiety will cause thee to be looked upon as more en- 
lightened and intelligent than those around thee? Is it 
shame that keeps thee aloof? Dost thou fear thy society 
will not be courted by the rich and proud men of the earth, 
who might neglect or despise religious worship ? Or, is it 
thy indolence that raises objections to the performance of 
so sacred a duty ? 

I hear thee say, " There is nothing I can learn at church 
that I do not already know." Yet, an indifferent speaker 



24 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

may utter many useful and salutary truths ; he may revive 
impressions that have been slumbering for a long time in 
thy memory; and recall thee unexpectedly to a sense of 
thy duty. 

"But," thou repliest, "I can worship God in my closet, 
as well as in the church." Ah! but wilt thou do it? Art 
thou disposed to attempt it? Art thou not prevented by a 
hundred idle pursuits? Will not thy soul be more easily 
warmed into devotion, by mingling with thy fellow citizens 
in the church of God ? 

Again, I hear thee reply, "They would laugh at me, 
and deem me a hypocrite !" Then, is it not thy vanity and 
pride, which prevents thee from performing a duty, which 
thou owest, at least, to thy fellow men ? If thou art more 
learned than they, and cannot add to thy stores of know- 
ledge by attending the church, furnish them at least with 
thy good example, that they may have an opportunity to 
improve their hearts. Wouldest thou not censure him, 
who would cease to respect our government and laws, with 
out which there could be no peace or security ? Then, 
why wilt thou not censure thyself, for overturning the re- 
spect due to religious worship, without which the people 
would relapse into a thousand vicious and immoral habits. 

To the christian, the Sabbath is a holy day. People in 
a thousand different languages, are worshipping God, whilst 
thou art standing alone, like the Indian of the forest, as 
though thou didst not belong to the great family of man- 
kind. Thou art excluded from the fellowship of thy breth- 
ren, and no one accompanies thee in thy solitary way* 



HOURS OP DEVCtflOff. 25 

When the bells are ringing, and people are hurrying on 
their way to the churches, dost thou not sometimes feel re- 
ligious emotions springing up in thy soul ? Why dost thou 
exclude thyself from communion with christians? Cast 
thine eye through the dim and shadowy temple, and behold 
the altar, where thou wast first consecrated to God — where 
thou didst partake of the feast in commemoration of thy 
Saviour — where an innocent and lovely wife, united her 
destiny with thine, and ask thyself if it has nothing worthy 
of thy affections. Unhappy man! if here too thou art 
destitute of feeling, then I urge thee in vain, for the en- 
nobling attributes of thy character have perished in the 
desolation. 

The Sabbath is a day of rest, when all worldly business 
should cease. The plough remains undisturbed in the fur- 
row, and the workshops are closed. Each one is seen in 
his best attire. Even these tokens of respect, insignificant 
as they are, have a salutary influence upon the mind, and 
incline it to cheerful and virtuous reflections. But let 
public worship disappear from the land, and in a few yearsr 
we will observe a fearful change in the morals of the peo- 
ple. The poor man, spurned by his wealthy and avaricious 
neighbor, and weighed down by the miseries of life^ will 
seldom find a leisure moment to think of his future desti- 
nation. He is merely a creature, subject to the vicisitudes 
of this transitory life, without ever reflecting upon his im- 
mortality. The love and fear of God, no longer have an 
influence upon his actions — his religion will be that of deceit 



26 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

fulness and hypocrisy — his heaven, the accomplishment of 
his own selfish desires. 

The Sabbath recalls the wandering and unsettled mind, and 
the same zeal is now manifested for the welfare of the soul, 
as hitherto, in the accumulation of wealth. Every thing 
is silent and at rest, save the temple of God. And even 
though our hearts, should not be inclined 4:o pious reflec- 
tions, our example will have an influence upon those who 
are assembled about us, who share with us the common 
blessings of our country; and who, early or late, may fol- 
low our coffin to the grave, and shed over us the tears 
of friendship and regret. Finally, we shall all be again 
assembled in the presence of the Almighty, as members of 
the same devoted family. There the poor will be on a 
level with the rich ! There all pride, all distinction is at 
an end. We are recognized only as children of the eter- 
nal Father. 

Public worship also tends to exhibit the natural equality 
of man, and thereby to elevate the soul of the christian. 
It admonishes the proud to humbleness, and inspires the 
dejected w T ith courage. , 

Sinner ! wilt thou yet stand alone 1 Will not the thou- 
sands who are kneeling in prayer around thee, recall thee 
to a sense of thy duty? Will the holy songs that are as- 
cending on wings of melody to the creator, have no effect 
upon thy mind ? Ponder for a moment — At this hour, thou- 
sands upon the earth are worshipping before their God ! 
Nations are hymning his praises in unison with each other ! 
Princes have descended from their thrones, and are lifting 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 27 

up their voices to the infinite Jehovah ! Even on the solitary 
ocean, the mariner's prayer is heard amid the dashing of 
the waves ! Yet, thou art silent, and will not unite thy 
voice with the rejoicings of the whole earth. 

When thou art no more, thy seat in the sanctuary may 
be occupied by a tender daughter or dutiful son ; a lovely 
sister or affectionate brother, who may think of thy me- 
mory, and moisten the place of thy footsteps with their 
tears. Look upon the assembled multitude before thee ! 
There are the young and the old; the feeble and strong; 
the thoughtful and gay; the sorrowful and contented. In 
a short time thew will all pass away from the earth, and 
their places will be filled by a new generation. Will not 
these reflections cause thee to relent? Will they not ele- 
vate thy soul to God, and point out the great importance of 
public worship? The exhortations which thou wouldest 
hear from the pulpit, might at least, awaken the religious 
impressions of thy earlier days; or, should they not be in 
accordance with thy taste, recollect that they may have 
a salutary effect upon the minds of others ; and therefore, 
thou shouldest not be dissatisfied. Besides, thy presence 
in many respects is beneficial. Those who would be more 
likely to receive instruction and consolation from religious 
exercises, are not influenced by thy example to stand aloof. 

By worshipping God, thou wilt secure in a higher degree 
the respect and confidence of thy fellow citizens. But if 
thou art a mocker and a despiser of the religion of Jesus 
Christ, thou wilt be an outcast from the affections of those 
around thee, 



23 HOUES OP DEVOTION, 

The Sabbath should be entirely devoted to the improve- 
ment of the heart; and not alone the brief hour of public 
worship. The day of the Lord is a day of rest. Thou 
shalt lay aside thy work; thy body shall receive new 
strength, and thy soul collect new powers. After these 
refreshments thou wilt engage more cheerfully in thy bu- 
siness. Thou shalt love to see thy servants taking their 
recreation, that they may the more willingly perform the 
duties assigned to them. Thou shalt not weary in good 
doing. If thy neighbor requires thy aid in a moment of 
danger, thou wilt hasten to his assistance. He who would 
let his brother perish on the Sabbath is an abomination in 
the sight of the Lord.* After thou hast returned from 
church repeat some interesting portion of the sermon, or 
read some instructive passages in thy bible. These pious 
duties will infuse a deep tranquillity into thy mind, and 
thus, the Sabbath is truly a day of the Lord. 

I will go O Lord! to the sanctuary of my fathers, 
where they have so often prayed unto thee. There, the 
prince and the beggar kneel in thy presence. There, I 
can feel my own littleness and vanity ; there I can behold 
the manifestations of thy majesty and power. There too, 
I will learn that we are mortals entirely dependent upon 
thy goodness; and in the midst of the songs that are re- 
sounding to thy praise, my soul shall ascend to thee on tho 
wings of devotion and love. 

* Luke vi. 9. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 29 



DOMESTIC PEACE, 

The bonds which unite the husband and wife, parents 
and children, brothers and sisters, are, of all others, the 
most sacred. Woe to him, who severs them by his un* 
kindness ! 

Where will our sorrows receive the same solace, as in 
the bosom of our family? Whose hand wipes the tear 
from our cheek, or the chill of death from our brow, with 
the same fondness and care as that of the wife? If the 
raging elements are contending without, here is a shelter, 
If war is desolating the country, here is unmingled peace 
and tranquillity. Blissful and happy hours, that unite us 
together in sweet and holy companionship, I bid you a joy- 
ful welcome ! 

The father, by this industry, ensures the prosperity of 
his family. When his daily labor is completed, he returns 
with gladness to their welcome and smiling embrace. If 
the whole world should be in arms against him, here he is 
soothed by the gentlest and holiest affection. 

The earnings of the husband are not foolishly squander- 
ed by the provident wife. She is careful in attending to 
the duties of her household. She guards over those under 
her care or direction, with fidelity and love. She encour- 
ages domestic peace and love, and adorns her character 
with a thousand little charms. 
The children, too, are playing innocently around ,* they 
3 



30 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

know of no enjoyment, beyond the confines of their home, 
They love to be obedient. With unspeakable delight they 
fondle on their parents. Even the servants are happy and 
contented. They are faithful to those who are so atten- 
tive to them. Instead of masters, they have found parents, 
whose prosperity is their chief delight. 

Let there be mutual love. It is an indescribable charm. 
It gives to every thing a higher value and importance. If 
you are sick or afflicted, all are ready to offer you their 
assistance. The individual happiness of each, is the para- 
mount concern of all. 

Behold the lonely and destitute widow, who, in her soli- 
tude, is neglected by all the world. She has followed her 
husband and friends ; one — all — to the silent grave. Poor 
and needy, she was driven from the ranks of the gay. In 
her distress, there are none who know her; none who 
share with her their society. But why should you pity 
her? She is happier than you can conceive ! A pious 
daughter, who renounces the pleasures of the world, la- 
bors through the day, and by the burning of the midnight 
lamp, to add to the comfort and support of her aged mother. 
Why should you pity her, when she participates in heav- 
enly joys, that gold cannot purchase? 

Why do you sympathise with the aged man, who is lan- 
guishing io prison, because his misfortunes have prevented 
him from discharging his debts? He is already liberated ! 
A dutiful son, at the sacrifice of his own liberty, has bar- 
tered himself to the army, to procure the release of his 
helpless but beloved father. 



HOUKS OF DEVOTION. 31 

How many blessings, even in affliction, spring out of 
family concord. How pleasant its consequences — how 
lasting its recollection. Domestic harmony may be liken- 
ed unto heaven ; but discord is only to be compared with 
hell itself. 

How deplorable is the man who leaves the bosom of his 
family, in pursuit of happiness elsewhere ! He is every 
where a stranger, even in his own dwelling ! He must 
brood over his sorrows alone ! There are none to share 
with him their sympathy ! Cold civility is all he receives 
from the world ! He complains with bitterness, that he 
ever pledged his hand at the altar ! His children are to 
him as thorns that bear no fruit ! 

It is to be regretted that discord in families is increas- 
ing rather than diminishing. This is owing to the many 
inconsiderate marriages that are constantly taking place. 
Many people enter into a matrimonial alliance, without 
reflecting upon the importance of the subject, or studying 
each other's character or disposition. They contemptu- 
ously barter the happiness of a whole life, for a family 
name, or unnecessary fortune. But alas ! no paltry wealth 
or ancestral honors, can atone for the tears of anguish, or 
desolation of the heart that it occasions. 

There can be no happiness in the married state, only 
where there is a similarity of disposition, that will ensure 
mutual love, and enable the parties in case of misfortune, 
to rely solely upon each other. We have seen indigent 
families emerging from the depths of their poverty, and 
becoming great and illustrious by the virtue and industry 



32 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

of the husband ; or the innocence and economy of the 
wife. We have also seen the prosperity of affluent families, 
blasted by the discord of the parents, whose infirmities 
have extended over and given a hue, even to the charac- 
ters of their children. 

It is a great source of evil to the newly married pair, 
when, instead of seeking happiness in the society of each 
other, they resort to gay assemblies. Before they are 
aware of their own weakness, they find themselves already 
corrupted by their dissipations. The increasing thirst for 
those foolish pleasures, render the uniform peace of the 
house, tedious and oppressive. Their idleness leads to 
want, their prosperity is at an end, and they sometimes 
contract dangerous acquaintances, that is too often repent- 
ed of with tears of blood. 

And lastly : a more fearful evil is a contempt for reli- 
gion, A pious man can never be entirely miserable. He 
will love those who are under his care — look with indul- 
gence upon their faults — bear with their infirmities, and 
endeavour to correct their frailties. Where there is no 
domestic peace, there is an absence of religion. The pre- 
cepts of Christ have given place to passion and defamation. 
Instead of tenderness and affection, we will find cold heart- 
ed selfishness; instead of confidence in God, there will be 
madness and despair ! The children, too, instead of loving 
their Creator, are full of pride, presumption and mockery. 
Piety and virtue seems to have taken their flight. 

If thou wouldest restore the peace and tranquility of thy 
family, thou must first awaken religious impressions. 



HOURS OF DEVOTIONo 33 

When thou hast succeeded in this, then thou hast laid the 
corner stone of domestic felicity. Preserve the equanimity 
of thy temper ; exercise kindness to those who are under 
thy control, and they will love and respect thee the more. 
Thus wilt thou establish the joy and happiness of thy 
household, and strife and jealousy will flee away. 

Without mutual respect, there can be but little domestic 
happiness. Many newly married couples, lavish their af- 
fection upon each other for a few weeks, and then give way 
to disputes and quarrels. As they advance in their matri- 
monial existence, they become more negligent in their 
conduct ; those little attentions by which they before ren- 
dered each other agreeable, are forgotten or despised; 
less attention is paid to their exterior ; they grow more 
indifferent, and care but little whether they please or of- 
fend. Finally, rudeness will extinguish the last spark of 
respect ; they will contend about trifles ; exact unusual 
obedience ; and seek, if possible, to revenge every trifling 
wrong, 

You must govern your children and servants with pro- 
per respect and dignity. Let every censure, every com- 
mand, every denial of their requests, be given without too 
much authority. If they have been guilty of error, do 
not reprove them before others ; but show them their own 
unworthiness in private. They will love you for your de- 
licacy ; they will obey your commands with more cheer- 
fulness, and their happiness will not be embittered by the 
ridicule of their companions. 
Wouldest thou behold domestic misery ? thou wilt find in 
3* 



34 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

families where there is no discipline — where parents public- 
ly expose the faults of their children — where brothers and 
sisters are permitted to quarrel and inflict blows with impu- 
nity — where a discontented wife is always abusing her 
servants. These indeed, are the abodes of misery. 

He who would receive respect must show it to others. 
It is not our rank in society, but rather our exemplary vir- 
tues that must awaken the respect of others. 

Where there is suspicion and distrust there can be no 
domestic peace. If we confide in the honesty of a person 
he is led to respect himself, and therefore would not wil- 
lingly lessen our good opinion of him. 

The husband and wife, who have entered into so sacred 
an alliance, should never make use of any little artifice or 
untruth, however innocent, to deceive each other. Let there 
be nothing concealed, one from the other ; then your minds 
cannot be poisoned by unhallowed suspicion or jealousy, 
which, if once kindled, burns with all the raging and un- 
quenchable fires of hell. 

Do not lessen the confidence that your children may re- 
pose in you. Let them not conceal from you their faults. 
Do not make them deceitful by your severity. In whom 
shall they confide, if their hearts must be locked in the pre- 
sence of their parents ? If they hide from you their faults, 
it is because they have no reliance upon your affections. 

Let there be an earnest desire to keep up a mutual confi- 
dence between husband and wife, parents and children, 
brothers and sisters, masters and servants. Respect the 
present good qualities of the latter, and never accuse them 
of any former error. This would be an end to their re- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 35 

spect and esteem. Never encourage a disposition to recall 
past offences among your children or servants. 

It should be a regulation of every house that its economy 
or domestic concerns should not be publicly exposed by its 
inmates. None — not even the nearest relations — should 
share in such secrets. It is destructive of all peace and 
happiness. Our home is a sanctuary too sacred to be inva- 
ded. Idle curiosity should not be admitted that it may go 
into the streets and highways, to unbosom our secrets to the 
gaping crowd. 

Our children and servants ought not to make known the 
most trifling incident that occurs in the house. Not that 
there is always danger to be apprehended ; but they should 
be accustomed to a proper degree of silence. Be careful to 
banish all tale bearers, tatlers, and slanderers from your pre- 
sence ! If you would have your own secrets respec- 
ted, then respect those of others. Do not enquire too 
eagerly after the affairs of your neighbours ; particularly 
if they do not concern you. 

And, most merciful God, in whatever situation of life I 
may be placed, it will be my secret pride and happiness to 
encourage domestic peace and tranquillity. — Be thou a ruler 
of my own family ! Guide and instruct us with thy wis- 
dom, and take us all into thy protection ! Blessed and ani- 
mated by thee, we Lave already a sweet foretaste of heav- 
en! 



36 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



CONTENTMENT WITH OUR SITUATION IN 
LIFE. 

A very common source of evil among men is the dis- 
like they manifest for their standing or situation in life. 
Some, however, assume an aspect of contentment, because 
they would not betray their own weakness or pride ; while 
in truth, they are just the reverse. In private they even 
curse the good qualities of those, who, in public, it is 
their policy to commend. Their own station becomes 
intolerable, and they long impatiently for that of ano- 
ther. There are, indeed, many men who are dissatis- 
fied with any situation in which they may be placed. To 
them, every condition of life is equally disagreeable. At 
one time they are displeased with the business entrusted to 
their care ; at another, they are exceedingly angry with 
those persons with whom they must necessarily be con- 
nected. We hear them constantly complaining. They 
are always striving after some good fortune. They un- 
dertake many wild projects, with which they soon become 
disgusted themselves ; and at length, they dwindle away 
into utter insignificance. They seek to improve every 
thing but their hearts, and fain would instruct the whole 
world, which they affect most heartily to despise. 

The discontented man, is the murderer of his own hap- 
piness. He quits the substance, and grasps at the shadow. 
He is maddened in his pursuit after happiness, and despises 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 37 

the means by which it must be attained. He blindly de- 
stroys his enjoyment of the present ; his folly becomes to 
himself a burthen, and to the world a curse. 

Without contentment in this world, there can be no solid 
enjoyment. If thou wouldest live perfectly happy, learn 
to be satisfied with thy situation. 

To be contented with our occupation in life, we must be 
contented with the advantages which we can reasonably 
expect to derive from it. It must be in the conviction, 
that by our frugality we can earn a decent livelihood ; — 
that, not by splendor, or reputation, or wealth, we are to 
gain the respect of the world; but rather by the honest, 
upright and faithful discharge of our duties. In the con- 
viction, too, that every situation in life has its disappoint- 
ments ; and that we, by prudence, can chiefly avoid them. 

It is not to be infered, however, that we shall not im- 
prove our circumstances, if we find it in every respect prac- 
ticable ; that we shall reject the honors and emoluments of 
office, if they are placed within our reach ; or that we shall 
not avail ourselves of every possible means to increase our 
prosperity or reputation. This would be despising the 
means, whereby we might confer as great a benefit upon 
others as upon ourselves. But, to forsake an honest bu- 
siness or calling, in pursuance of some wild or ambitious 
project, would be in the highest degree ridiculous. 

Why is it that so many men at present are not content- 
ed with that which God hath given them ? And, more 
particularly, why is it that so many are dissatisfied with 
their standing in society? It is too often owing to the ca- 



38 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

price of parents, who select for their children occupations 
for which they have neither talents nor inclination. It is 
the duty of parents and guardians, to place those l who 
are under their care, in such situations, as will enable 
them to acquire a subsistence in an independent manner. 
But, in order to do this, they should carefully examine the 
capacities and inclinations of the child, before the step is 
taken, that is to decide the fate of its whole life. In the 
youthful mind, there is an inability to choose judiciously 
for itself; it has neither experience, nor a proper esti- 
mate of its own powers. However, parents are frequently 
unable to bring up their children to that calling or profes- 
sion, for which they may evince a particular ability or in- 
clination. But, in such instances, it should at least be 
satisfactory if they can be instructed in a respectable oc- 
cupation, for w r hich they have no positive aversion. Be- 
sides, custom soon reconciles them to that, which at first 
seemed intolerable. 

Another very common cause of discontent with many 
people, is a secret pride and ambition, which nothing can 
satiate. Their own folly, therefore, becomes their pun- 
isher. They would be discontented, even on a throne ! 

Perhaps it grieves you to remain in obscurity ? Per- 
haps you think you have more experience, knowledge and 
ability, than those to whom the world has given a preference 
over you? But, you should learn that there are also others, 
who do not receive the attention due to their merits. 
Have you always endeavoured faithfully to improve your 
fortune? Are you more distinguished than others of the 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 39 

same calling? And is your envy or foolish ambition hon- 
ourable to you ? 

Do not aspire to things that are not within your reach, 
but be satisfied with the present good which you enjoy. If 
you are animated by a laudable ambition, let it be to excel 
in the profession you have already adopted ; instead of sink- 
ing below mediocrity in some other. 

If you feel conscious that you are worthy of a better 
situation in life, do not envy him who enjoys it ; even though 
he is not deserving of the preference given to him. There 
is many a noble heart concealed in rags ; as well as much 
human depravity hid beneath the ermine and purple of roy- 
alty. But, in the estimation of the judicious few, it is the 
virtue and not the rank of the man, that imparts to him a 
higher value. Endeavour to confer honor upon your pro- 
fession, instead of believing that it will confer honor upon 
you. 

Again, others are dissatisfied with their occupation, be- 
cause it affords them no prospect of accumulating a fortune. 
They desire riches, that they may indulge in some vain 
pomp and show. Insatiable man ! If you have hitherto 
earned a livelihood for yourself and family, why are you 
repining and discontented ? We all have different capaci- 
ties for enjoyment, and are designed to be dependent upon 
each other. If there are those who are richer than our- 
selves ; there are others again, who are far more indigent, 
Do you desire that we all should be equally rich ? Or, why 
do you ask that boon for yourself, which you are ready 
to deny to all others? Perhaps you are more worthy and 
deserving than your fellow mortals ? 



40 HOUES OF DEVOTION. 

It may happen that your earnings are not adequate to 
your honest perseverance m business. War or famine may 
surround you ; but the industrious will never perish. If you 
are distressed in seasons of want, you have not been care- 
ful in your prosperity to provide for the future. You now 
suffer the penalty of your folly ! The want of economy 
has reduced you to misery ! But learn that in contentment 
there are great riches. 

Many men are displeased with their situation in life, be- 
cause it brings them in contact with those whom they de- 
spise for their principles, or way of thinking. Thus, their 
lives are converted into bitterness. They should, however, 
be thankful for the advantages which are even thus obtained. 
They have acquired many agreeable acquaintances and 
valuable friends, of which, otherwise, they would have been 
destitute. Observe, how the evil is always equalized by the 
good. 

And finally, be courteous to those whom you do not like. 
Be careful if possible, to lessen their enmity towards you. 
Endeavour to overcome them by your generosity. Perhaps 
your own conduct has been the cause of their unkindness 
to you ? If so, correct the weakness and folly of your 
heart, and do not create for yourself any further unhappi- 
ness. It is within your own power to avoid the thorns 
which accompany the roses of life. If you cannot effect 
this in your present, you cannot in any other condition of 
life. 

It is a common error of mankind, that they will not be 
persuaded that every calling or business, has its mixture of 
good and evil. They see the gilding of the object to which 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 41 

they aspire, but not the canker within. Our seeming good 
fortune is often envied by those who can know nothing of 
the anguish we endure ; as we envy that of others, whose 
trouble and anxiety do not afflict us. 

We, therefore, vainly and foolishly torment ourselves 
without a reasonable cause. We show thereby, how little 
we know of the world — how little we are conscious that it 
is our heart, and not our situation, that requires improve- 
ment, and how little confidence we have in the providence 
of God! 

Man has no greater persecutor on the earth than him- 
self. Nothing can wound us so deeply as our own secret 
vices and foolish propensities, which we sometimes thought- 
lessly unbosom to the world. 

Observe the man who is not contented with his employ- 
ment ; to whom indeed, it is irksome,- and hear how he 
curses his destiny ! how he is distracted by a thousand 
miseries ; and that too, without receiving the compassion 
of a single individual. He has not courage enough to 
overcome the infirmities of his character ; or to rid him- 
self of the phrenzy that is destroying his happiness. His 
petulance and ill humor, affect the gaiety of those with 
whom he is associated. He wearies us with his complaints 
and censures of every person he meets. His secret pride 
and ambition are betrayed in all his actions. He is dis- 
satisfied with his fortune, because it will not gratify his 
passion for idle splendor and magnificence. He neglects 
his business, because his heart is set on other things. He 
is continually undermining the good, which otherwise 

4 



42 HOURS OF DEVOTION, 

might be in store for him. He is daily sinking himself in 
the estimation of his friends. At length he becomes an ob- 
ject of suspicion and distrust, and finally, he is universally 
despised. 

O, thou eternal and most heavenly father ! thou giver of 
every good and perfect gift! thou, who canst dethrone 
kings, as well as exalt the peasant ! I will supplicate thee 
for neither wealth, nor honor, nor power, but for a wise, con- 
tented and happy spirit. The situation which thou hast 
assigned to me in this life, is sufficient to afford me every 
lieedful enjoyment. I will partake of thy bounty with 
gratitude, and to render my happiness the more durable, I 
will accustom myself to think only of the good, and not the 
evil of my situation. Thus, misery will be deprived of its 
sharpest sting, and I will enjoy a serene and cheerful mind. 

As I entered the world, so will I again leave it. There 
is nothing I can take with me, but a guiltless conscience, 
with the assurance, that in every situation of life, I have 
been useful to my fellow men. Ah ! this is a treasure, 
which can never be taken away ! this is a blessing which 
we will enjoy through countless ages of eternity. Let me 
.strive for this, and do thou, most merciful and infinite God, 
crown my efforts with success I 



HOURS OF DEVOTION". 43 



THE PROPER SELECTION OF OUR ENJOY- 
MENTS. 

When all around are alive with joy, why should 1 re- 
strain so sublime an emotion ? I have had my moments 
of sorrow and weeping ; why should I not have their oppo- 
sites, of peace and serenity 1 The changes of time bring 
darkness and light — sunshine and tempest — transport and 
tears. But these vicissitudes will prove a source of instruc- 
tion and improvement. 

The creator, who struck the world from his hand, did 
not intend that it should be an abode of unqualified afflic- 
tion. In the infinitude of his love, he desires the happi- 
ness of all his children. Therefore are they mistaken., 
who would recommend constant gloominess of characters 
which is so entirely at variance with the nature of 
our minds. God is a God of love ; and rejoices in the 
welfare of his creatures. 

" Rejoice evermore !" — says one of the apostles* A good 
conscience is the surest basis of a tranquil mind* The 
virtuous man would not willingly inflict pain upon others 
If it were in his power he would communicate his own 
happiness to the whole world. He would dry the tears of 
the weeping and sorrowful. The wicked man can ako be 
merry • but he cannot feel the deep and pervading joy of 



44 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

the Christian. He can practise his dishonest propensities 
and schemes ; and rejoice for a moment at their success ; 
but an accusing conscience, soon darkens his guilty soul. 
His joy is not as the brightness of heaven; but like the light- 
ning's momentary flash from gloomy and portentious clouds. 
Unmingled joy is only the companion of innocence, and 
therefore do we behold the constant gaiety of youth. 
Those harmless qualities disappear when the passions are 
developed and called into play. "Rejoice evermore !" we 
again exclaim with the apostle. And in what does it con- 
sist but innocent and cheerful thoughts — virtuous and ex- 
emplary conduct — with an unquestionable purity of heart 
in the presence of our maker. 

To what end are chiefly our constant endeavors ? To 
live happy ! Wherefore do we endure days of toil ? To 
enjoy the sweeter repose. Why do we undergo labor and 
fatigue ? To harvest the richer joy. 

Contentment inclines us to good actions. Innocent plea- 
sures, also, have a healthful influence both upon the 
body and mind. As melancholy and grief wears away 
our strength, so is it proportionably increased by cheer- 
fulness and joy. The mind would often sink under the 
weight of its sorrows, if it did not receive an impulse 
from some other source. 

It seems not so difficult for many men, to remain firm 
and resolute in misfortune, as to preserve a proper degree 
of moderation in their pleasures. In affliction, our ener- 
gies are collected, and we govern ourselves with proper 
vigilance ; but in our pleasures, we often loose all self con- 



HOURS OP DEVOTIGKv 45 

trol, and give ourselves unreservedly, to the gratification of 
our senses. 

The worldly man will not control his disposition to gaiety, 
the christian on the contrary, is master of his inclinations, 
and does not step beyond the boundary of prudence. The 
one becomes giddy and enervated — the other strengthened 
and improved. To the joys of one succeed debility and 
wretchedness — to the other, deep and lasting happiness. 

How great is the empire of joy, which God designed for; 
us in his infinite creation* We spring into existence 5 and 
the coloured seasons pass by us with their fruits, and flow- 
ers, and storms ; and hope lends to us her enchanting hues', 
and friendship folds us warmly in her embrace; the wonders 
of the Deity are made manifest in our lives, and the un- 
conscious stars reveal to us a future life of eternal happi- 
ness. 

While we are revelling and exulting in such unbounded 
benificence, why should we think of inflicting pain and ig- 
nominy upon others 1 — Who would lift the dagger to the 
bosom of his friend ? — He that rejoices at the misfortune of 
others ! — he that is full of deceit and hypocrisy ! — he who 
would unjustly possess himself of the wealth of others I — 
he who would strike at female innocence and virtue ! — he 
who rewards a favour with ingratitude !— he who is only 
happy in undoing those whom he may dislike ! 

Who would drink poison, to produce agreeable sensa- 
tions ? He, who seeks to distinguish himself from others 
by pride, and falls a victim to his own folly ! He, whose 
heaven is the epicurean's feast, that hurries him rapidly on to 
the tomb ! He who gives himself up to sensual enjoyments, 

4* 



46 HOURS OF DEVOTION, 

and moves about the earth as a skeleton between life and 
death ! He, who quaffs at the maddening bowl, and sinks 
himself to a level with the brute ! Miserable creatures — 
they wantonly reject the roses, and crown themselves only 
with the thorns of life ! 

Joy is the companion of innocence. The christian rejects 
every pleasure, out of which might grow the fruits of re- 
pentance. Fie participates only in those that are worthy of 
his character. He should therefore be careful in their 
selection, that he may not loose the respect of his fellow 
citizens, for if he sacrifice a good name, his province for 
doing good is proportionably lessened. 

We should never indulge in any habits unbecoming 
our age, sex or condition. It is a duty we owe to others, 
not to choose an improper time or place for the exercise of 
our gaiety. We should also be careful in the choice of our 
companions, if we would not give offence to those whom 
we respect. Therein many men grievously err. They 
affect to think, that, if they are not guilty of any immoral 
conduct, they -need pay but little regard to the compa- 
ny with which they associate. But they pay dear for their 
experience. They find they must avoid an appearance of 
moral depravity, with the same caution that they would 
avoid the reputation of a hypocrite. 

If old persons participate in the follies of youth ; if 
mothers and daughters so far forget the delicacy of their 
sex as to indulge in pleasure and sports that do not belong 
to them ; then they offend against decency, and detract 
materially from their own worth and dignity. Persons of su- 
perior standing in society, should do nothing that is not in 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 47 

accordance with the defference paid to them by inferiors. 
Parents should be careful in their conduct in the presence 
of their children, lest they excite their laughter and 
disgust. ' We should not visit scenes of dissipation, 
where the morals or conversation of the company may be 
questionable, or we will, thereby, sacrifice that public re- 
spect which should be dear to us, on account of the bene- 
ficial influence it would enable us to exert over others. 

All commendable pleasures w r e should enjoy with mod- 
eration. They should be to us only an occasional recrea- 
tion, or, otherwise, they will loose their highest relish. We 
should not become passionately fond of them, or we will 
neglect our personal and relative duties. 

Pleasure to the mind and body is as a refreshing medi- 
cine. By excess, it is converted into a deadly poison. In 
gay assemblies the prudent man will retain his presence of 
mind. He will not permit his enjoyments to degenerate 
into extravagance. He derives a pure and substantial plea- 
sure, without giving way to inconsiderate mirth. These 
are the delights that flow from a virtuous and well 
regulated life. The pleasure we impart to others we also 
feel ourselves. The handful of joys we scatter in the path- 
way oi life will return to us, greatly augmented, after many 
days. 

Thou fountain of every good ! I will draw still nearer 
to thee, through the mediation of thy holy son ! Enlight- 
en my understanding, that I may worship thee in a more 
acceptable manner U This is the highest of all earthly plea- 
sures ! a foretaste of the joys of heaven — I am a wander- 
er upon earth, but trust that my name is already written in 



48 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

heaven ! The worm of the dust, as well as the seraph, thou 
has created for happiness ! The smile of innocence— and 
the song of birds ; the dashing of rivers and the murmur- 
ing of streams ; all of this earth, or the innumerable worlds 
of thy infinite creation^ are full of thy glory and magnifi- 
cence ! Then I will banish sorrow from my heart. I will 
glorify thee in spirit and in truth ! thou, whose unfathomable 
love blesses all the works of thy creation. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 49 



FALSE ECONOMY. 



The line that separates virtue from vice, or justice from 
injustice, is so minute, that man often thinks himself in the 
performance of his duties, when in fact, he is only hasten- 
ing forward in the labyrinths of his destruction. We can- 
not, therefore, be too careful in the examination of our 
conduct, provided we feel an earnest desire for the im- 
provement and perfection of our souls. 

How many who think themselves liberal and philanthro- 
pic, are only wretched squanderers of their property; 
how many mistake the most disgusting avarice for fru- 
gality and economy. And, how often do we find in the 
same person a combination of prodigality and covetous- 
ness. 

Can I be guilty of such faults ? I scarcely believe it — 
yet, in my solitary devotions, I will inwardly examine my- 
self, and endeavour to correct all my errors. It is im- 
portant that I do not abuse the blessings which God has 
given me. It is, however, my right and duty, honestly to 
increase my fortune. He who neglects it, falls at last a 
burthen to others, and becomes a useless member of so- 
ciety. I will increase my property while I have yet the 
power. It is my duty to free myself as much as possible 
from anxiety and want, so that I may indulge the nobler 
feelings of my soul. If I have a sufficient income, then I am 
independent of the paltry benevolence of other men, who 



50 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

would despise me in my poverty. If I have more than is 
necessary for my own wants, then I can be useful to others, 
without disadvantage to myself. I am bound also to edu- 
cate and provide for my children, and contribute to the 
support of my poor relations. 

The increase of riches, by industry and economy, is one 
of the relative duties of man. Unnecessary profusion, is 
like a bodily wound. He who dissipates his fortune, de- 
prives himself of the means of doing good — strikes at the 
root of his liberty — becomes the slave of his own passions, 
and prepares for himself and family, a life of sorrow, pain, 
and ignominy. The only remedy against this, is industry, 
economy and temperance. These qualities will enable us 
to become truly amiable, and useful members of society. 
Many people, however, think themselves economical, who, 
if they do not augment, at least do not diminish their pro* 
perty. They censure the prodigal, whose fortune is every 
day growing less ; yet they are unwilling to accuse them- 
selves of a similar recklessness ; although they lavish away 
their money in feasting and gambling, to procure a mo- 
mentary pleasure, instead of appropriating it to the use of 
their children ; or the furtherance of some benevolent ob- 
ject. There are others, who detest this manner of life, 
that are always striving with a miserly fondness, to accu- 
mulate additional wealth. But their only pleasure is in its 
possession. They increase their riches without an object. 
They do not make use of it as a means to procure to them- 
selves enjoyment ; or to benefit the world, They plunge 
into avarice ; their industry is a restless passion for gain ; 



HOURS OF DEVOTION, 51 

their economy is a shameless, corrupt, and niggardly par- 
simony, without the slightest regard to the welfare of 
others. 

Unqualified avarice, is justly considered one of the most 
hateful vices. Its worst features, however, are not com- 
mon to all. Here is one, whose covetousness is still strug- 
gling with the natural benevolence of his heart — another, 
who indulges in grandeur and pride — a third, who is fond 
of good living and social intercourse, but not without a 
great anxiety as to the expense — a fourth, will sympathize 
with the misery of others, without having the inclination 
to render them any assistance. But in all those grada- 
tions, it is the same unwearying desire to amass wealth, 
which leads not to the happiness of the possessor. 

Never has the avaricious man enough. He is always 
eager for any lucrative office ; caresses and flatters the 
rich ; is cautious in lending out money to the poor ; com- 
plains of hard times ; is oftentimes penurious with his re« 
lations, whom he perpetually admonishes about prudence 
in expenditures ; assumes a very sanctified demeanour in 
church ; is constantly in apprehension of death ; has no 
relish for the blessings of life ; yet in his selfishness is still 
alive to the increase of his riches. He would deprive him- 
self and others of the necessaries of life. He fancies him- 
self to be indigent, and trembles with the apprehension 
that he may become still more so by accident. He is even 
poorer than the beggar who subsists upon alms. During 
his whole life he has seen nothing but rent rolls, and deeds, 
and mortgages, By degrees he withers away, and the 



52 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

fruits of his toil are left to his heirs, who do not even re- 
spect his memory. 

Only the contented are rich, therefore is the miser one 
of the poorest of beings. Only the wealthy are respected, 
who contribute to the comfort of those about them, there- 
fore is the miser despised, because he witholds, in the 
abundance of his riches, from the happiness of others. 
His meanness connects itself with every thing about him. 
He is quarrelsome in his household ; oppressive to ser- 
vants ; indifferent to his kindred, and an aversion to every 
body. He envies the prosperity of his neighbour, and his 
soul is consumed with jealousy. He sees he can profit by 
dishonesty, and he avails himself of the means, if he 
thinks he will not be detected. Virtue to him, is as no- 
thing in comparison to wealth ; therefore, a falsehood is 
pardonable ; his integrity is a vendible commodity ; his 
oath is as dust in the balance. For the sake of gain, he 
will sacrifice honor, friendship, gratitude, and reputation. 
He will become a liar, a flatterer and a calumniator ! He 
will even insult heaven with his prayers ! 

As the shadows of evening thicken after the setting of 
the sun, so does the spirit of avarice grow with our years. 
The natural imbecility of age, will always create for itself 
new fears and vexations. There may sometimes be a long- 
ing after the opulence of this world, without our being able 
to recognize in it a single feature of avarice ; yet, depend 
upon it, there is great danger that it will one day degene- 
rate into this contemptible vice. 
In our observations upon mankind, we will more fre- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. Oo 

quently find, instead of a single restless and engrossing pas- 
sion; a combination of vices existing in the same person, which 
in some measure, qualify his character or reputation. For 
example ; there is one, who is unmerciful to the suffering 
poor ; indifferent to the misfortunes of his relations ; with- 
out forbearance to his debtors ; and all this for the desire of 
gain ; yet he loves to attract the attention of the world, by 
the rich profusion of his table, or the splendor and magnifi- 
cence of his equipage. Here, therefore, does one vice be- 
come the handmaid of the other, while the possessor is the 
contemptible slave of both. Such instances in life are by 
no means rare. Every where we see wealth heaped toge- 
ther by dishonorable means ; sometimes by open fraud in 
defiance of the laws ; sometimes by low and secret cun- 
ning ; sometimes by taking advantage of the helpless and 
unprotected, and all for the purpose of subserving their ar- 
rogant and overbearing pride. Servants suffer by their 
cupidity ; cruelty is extended to those who are dependant" 
upon them for support ; while at the same time, they are 
giving a luxurious banquet, the expense of which, would 
have contributed to the happiness of a poor family for 
several months. We sometimes see parents instead of edu- 
cating their children, infamously hoarding up their treasure 
for the purchase of fine dresses, or fine furniture. 

To every one God has given his portion, whereby he can 
thrive upon earth and contribute to the welfare of his fellow 
mem Of this, he must one day render a just and strict 
account. And woe to the faithless steward, who has been 

5 



54 H0XTR3 OF DEVOTION. 

indifferent to the wants of his brother, and accumulated 
wealth, only to sacrifice it upon the altar of his vanity. 

The imperfect education of youth, frequently leads to 
avarice. They are not made acquainted with the proper 
value of wealth. They are taught to heap up riches with- 
out an object — without benefiting others. Their economy in 
early life may afford them pleasure ; but it often degene- 
rates into an insatiable thirst for gain. The little treasure 
already collected, creates a desire for greater. The mind 
thereby, is rendered insensible to more exalted pleasures. 
Therefore it becomes the imperative duty of parents, to 
watch over the passions and inclinations of their children. 
They should not encourage a principle of selfishness. If 
they sacrifice the enjoyments of youth, in the unwearying 
pursuit of wealth, they will become mean, selfish, and over- 
bearing, in old age. 

Teach your children in early life, to be contented with 
little ; and to take pleasure in sharing that little with others. 
Teach them to be economical, yet always liberal to those 
who are less fortunate than themselves. 

The true christian will regard the possession of temporal 
goods, rather as the great means for promoting human hap- 
piness. He endeavours, therefore, to add to his worldly 
possessions by laudable enterprize ; but not to lock them up 
as a treasure to be applied only to his own wants and de- 
sires. He avoids all needless expenses for idle pleasures. 
His liberality does not identify itself with popular sympathy, 
but he is ever ready to render his assistance in the loneli- 
ness of sorrow and distress, \yhere nothing but gratitude can 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 55 

be his reward. He thinks only of rendering himself wor- 
thy of his creator. This is his great aim — the precious de- 
sire of his heart. He is anxious to lay up treasures, only 
" in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves do not break through nor steal." 

Have I, O Lord, acted thus worthy of thy name? Have I 
denied myself many pleasures, that I might become an an- 
o-el of consolation to others ? Have I not sacrificed the 
duty I owed to my suffering fellow men, to pride, vanity, 
and sensuality ? I must acknowledge I am not what I 
ought to be. How often have I improperly exercised my 
liberality ? How seldom have I followed up the golden rule 
of temperance ? How foolishly have I contributed to my 
own. selfish desires, when I might have been of infinite ad- 
vantage to others ? I blush for my errors ; I tremble for 
their enormity ! Henceforth, I will elevate my affections 
to thee, and endeavour to promote the welfare of my fellow 
mortals ; and for this purpose, do thou grant me strength 
and power, and every good gift. 



50 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



THE FATHER. 



Before nations and empires sprung into existence, the 
united families that composed them, were almost distinct 
communities within themselves, with each a presiding 
chief, who was generally the father. After him is nam- 
ed the whole generation. He looks to their support, pro- 
tection and happiness. He is the most respected among the 
number ; and if he commands, he is cheerfully obeyed. 

In all ages of the world, and among all people, the father 
has received a certain degree of respect and veneration. It 
is a feeling natural to the human breast. The prince shares 
it in common with the beggar. The family look to him as 
their representative ; he defends their rights and commands 
their obedience. Every one, therefore, who is invested 
with this dignity, ought not to dishonour it by his unwor- 
thiness. 

Man, so long as he stands alone in the world, is without 
restraint, and is concerned only about himself. When he 
has provided for his own necessities, he has little else to 
trouble him. When he dislikes his occupation, he quits it. 
If he take an aversion to his country, he exchanges it for 
another. With the father it is different. His parental du- 
ties bind him fast ; yet he attends to them with cheerful- 
ness, for they bring with them a rich reward. His wife, 
his children, his profession, and his servants, each require 
his attention. He must be the father, guardian, protector, 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. §7 

friend and adviser of them all. Whatever may oppress or 
become a burthen to him, he endures with patience. If he 
is torn with the thorns of life, he complains not, because 
there are roses blooming for his wife and children. With- 
out their happiness he is miserable himself. Were he alone, 
he w r ould fly the injustice of his country, where war and 
oppression deprives him of his property. But these are no- 
thing to the endearments of a lovely wife, or helpless chil- 
dren. He remains faithful to his trusty and sacrifices every 
thing to their prosperity. 

The father is always looked upon with higher respect 
than he who is unmarried. The world reposes in him a 
greater degree of confidence. It is enough to know that 
he has an offspring who look to him for support. This, 
alone, recommends him to the attention and indulgence of 
all. 

But the father often lessens his own dignity. He often 
violates those tender and sacred duties which belong to his 
station. Thus, he becomes an object of the greatest con- 
tempt. A man may be unfortunate in the management of 
his affairs, public or private, and receive the sympathy of 
the public ; but he who neglects his wife and children, and 
renders them miserable, has at once dried up the fountains; 
of compassion, and is justly considered a disgrace to society. 
For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how can 
he hope to have the respect and confidence of his fellow 
citizens ? 

Who is the wise, faithful, and christian father ? He, who 
commands obedience in his family, and encourages indus- 

5* 



58 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

try and devotion to God. These are the pillars of domestic 
happiness. A father in the midst of his family, is as a 
prince among his people. It is his duty to watch over and 
see that every one performs his duty with faithfulness 
and fidelity. Every member of the domestic circle should 
be well acquainted with the business assigned to them, and 
be alone answerable for its performance. Where a house 
is well regulated, the business of the day goes on without 
interruption. Every one attends to his or her business. A 
little friendly exhortation or encouragement, is all that is 
requisite to keep every thing in activity. Harsh commands 
or continued censure, will only produce disorder and sul- 
lenness. 

Where harmony exists, there must be no foolish contra- 
dictions ; no disputing about trifles ; no quarrelling between 
man and wife ; no evil example for children and servants* 
If the heads of a family cannot agree within themselves, 
they loose at once the respect which is due to them. There- 
fore, should the father be very careful in the exercise of his 
domestic duties. He should not publickly differ in opinion 
from his wife, or contradict her in presence of others. Pa- 
rents should always furnish a good example, particularly of 
economy. They should never become despotic ; neither 
should they claim any exemption from the discipline which 
they may have established, for the regulation of their house- 
hold. Then, upon all occasions, they will be cheerfully 
obeyed. 

A prudent father will always regulate his expenses ac- 
cording to his income. The situation of his affairs will 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 59 

always be well known, so that he may avoid if necessary, 
any useless expenditure. The wife prepares for the present, 
and the husband for the future wants of their family. It is 
the duty of the latter to provide for his helpmate, should she 
become a widow; or children, should they become orphans. 
It is also the province of the father, to educate his children, 
so that they may honor his name, and be a blessing to him 
in the hour of death. " If any provide not for his own, 
and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied 
the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Industry, there- 
fore, is the main pillar of domestic happiness. Without it 
we cannot acquire that competence which renders life so 
agreeable. 

We should always be useful and active. In a well disci- 
plined house, no idler will be found. Each will contribute 
something to the welfare of the others, be it ever so trifling. 
The most industrious are the most deserving. He who has 
faithfully performed his daily labour, is always the most 
contented and cheerful. 

The father is the mainspring of all activity in the do- 
mestic circle. His duties are the most arduous. He feeds, 
clothes, and educates his children ; he pays his labourers 
and supports his servants. He must be the first in every 
difficulty ; but he has the consolation of knowing, that by 
his unwearied diligence, he has acquired a competency that 
will place him beyond the reach of want. He keeps his 
children at some useful occupation, that will be advantage- 
ous to them in after years. Idleness is infamy for a prince's 
son, and laziness is the unerring path to poverty. 

But where there is labor, there must also be recreation 



60 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

and rest. Money will buy the work of hirelings ; but not 
their respect. Only that will be well done, that is done 
with cheerfulness, and from inclination. Therefore, it is 
prudent for the head of a family, to permit a little gaiety 
and pleasure at proper seasons, among the inmates of his 
house. It gives them new life and animation. 

It is only when the father has obtained the confidence 
and esteem of the individual members of his family, (and 
how easily it is to be won,) that he can expect entire and 
willing obedience to his commands. Without this, no order 
or economy can exist. Although there may be an outward 
show of submission, yet it is not always of a profitable 
kind. Where servants act from fear, and merely perform 
the outline of their duty, there will always be more or less 
carelessness and treachery. They should always be influ- 
enced by a feeling of love and attachment ; from which 
flows habitual respect, and a desire to make themselves 
truly serviceable. The king himself, cannot command the 
love even of his most degraded subjects, without first ren- 
dering himself worthy of the gift. 

It is the duty of children to manifest a willing submis- 
sion to the dictates of their parents. Woe to the family, 
in which a child is permitted to have its own way. But 
to whom shall such conduct be attributed ? Is it not the 
result of bad education ? Was not the cause of this ca- 
lamity, the too great tenderness and indulgence of the 
parents ? How careful, therefore, should be the father, in 
moulding the character of his offspring, and causing them 
to be properly instructed. 

Parents should love their children with tenderness and 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 61 

affection, but at the same time, command the strictest 
obedience, even from their earliest infancy. If you never 
permit them to have any dominion over you, neither by 
their tears, their entreaties, their obstinacy, nor their 
childish cunning ; then it will become a well grounded 
habit. Every thing depends upon the formation of their 
characters in early life. If parents are weak and irreso- 
lute, they will be sure to attain the mastery. Too often is 
this repented of when too late. Obedience is a virtue, 
which is in a great degree the result of custom. 

A thousand evils ; sickness, war and famine; persecution, 
envy and fraud ,* malice and slander ; all may impair the 
happiness and prosperity of a family ; but a still great- 
er curse is that of a degenerate child. And the very 
foundation of this infamy, was, perhaps, the too great in- 
dulgence of its parents. Then, it should be their great 
and paramount concern, to preserve their offspring from 
the foul pollutions of the world ; without which, there can 
be no peace — no happiness. Vicious individuals in a family, 
are as thieves and robbers in a community. They poison 
every thing that they touch. 

It is only the virtues which adorn the father, that he can 
expect to be imparted to those around him. Is he a drunk- 
ard ? How can he reproach others for a similar vice 1 Is 
he an adulterer? how can he censure the same crime in 
another ? how banish from his threshold the maddening 
tortures of jealousy ? Is he peevish and quarrelsome ? 
how can he expect the smiles and endearments of his wife 
and children ? Is he a spendthrift or gambler ? does he 



62 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

prefer pleasure and dissipation, to industry and economy ? 
is he proud ? is he fond of worldly splendor — fine furniture 
and fine clothing ? if so, how can he hope his children will 
avoid his dangerous example 1 or that others will not take 
advantage of his infirmities, and defraud him for the pur- 
pose of enriching themselves ? Wretched and desolate is 
that family, where its ruler is the first to pollute its honor. 
There dwells not the blessing of God, but a bitter and 
destroying curse. 

Simplicity of manners and irreproachable conduct, with 
virtuous and unyielding discipline ; are the key stones of 
domestic felicity. Prosperity may forsake us, and storms 
rage abroad ; still is the peace of a well regulated family 
comparatively unshaken. We may be divested of riches, 
but our hearts will still overflow with beatitude. There 
are many families, who, by this blessed spirit, soar trium- 
phant above the billows of misfortune. It is then that the 
venerable father stands in the midst, as a high priest of 
God, receiving their benedictions for the sacrifices he has 
made on their account. They are united by the same 
love — the same faith — the same hope of eternity. 

How beautiful it is, to behold the aged patriarch kneel- 
ing in prayer, in the circle of his children, where all is 
piety and devotion. Perhaps one of the family is stretched 
upon the bed of death, and bidding a long — long farewell 
to his companions. But he looks confidently to heaven, 
and assures them that their seperation will be only for a 
moment. The hand that brought them together, and 
guided them through the difficulties of this life, has the 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 63 

same power to collect them together in the life to come, 
This is the picture of a christian family, where the father 
rules with gentleness and love. Let all who hold a similar 
station, compare themselves with him, and see wherein 
they are deficient. Ask yourselves if you have done every- 
thing to promote the happiness of the domestic circle, of 
which you were the reigning chief. Have you encouraged 
that degree of piety and devotion, that will buoy us up in 
all the dangers and uncertainties of life ? Answer for your- 
selves before the all-seeing, eternal, and heart-searching 
God! 



64 



HOUHS OF DEVOTION, 



THE MOTHER. 



The christian mother, day and night, is full of anxiety ; 
not for herself, but for the welfare of those entrusted to her 
care. She is continually laboring for the support of her 
family. In the evening, overcome with fatigue, she sinks 
to rest, and gathers new strength for the approaching day. 
Her husband, her children, and all who belong to her, are 
full of the enjoyments of life, yet she seeks for no other 
pleasure or recompense, for her manifold cares, than the 
society of those whom she has made contented. 

She belongs not to herself. She has united her destiny 
with one who is now her hope and her refuge. Whatever 
may be his situation in life, she is the last to complain. If 
he is poor, she shares in his poverty ; if he is sick, she 
nurses him ; if he is persecuted, she strives to lessen his 
afflictions. 

Her children too, are the especial objects of her care. 
She is never weary in contributing to their health or hap- 
piness. If one of them is sick, she will be found watching 
at its couch when all are asleep. She observes the chan- 
ges of its little countenance ; she listens to the heavings of 
its breath, and prays in the stillness and solitude of the 
hour for its recovery. No one, save the omniscient, 
knows any thing of her sufferings, her tears, or her mid- 
night vigils. From him she will receive her reward. 
Though her own health may be impaired, still she watches 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 65 

faithfully that of others. She is in the bosom of her family, 
as an angel of peace, — the tutelar genius of domestic order 
and happiness. Every thing relating to the affairs of the 
house, from the greatest to the smallest, equally receive 
her attention. Her conduct to all, is that of love and af- 
fection. She can never do them too much kindness, al- 
though ingratitude is sometimes her only reward. 

What a combination of every thing that is beautiful, 
does the generous and devoted housewife present ! A man 
may heap up treasures by his profession — his fame may re- 
sound throughout the whole earth — he may shake perhaps, 
half a world with his power ; but can he soothe and com- 
fort with the same enduring and holy affection as the ami- 
able housewife, whose modest and unassuming conduct 
nobody will notice ? No ! 

The happiness or misery of a house depends greatly 
upon the virtues or vices of the mother. Her conduct will 
influence the welfare of the whole family. A single fault 
can eclipse a thousand virtues, and a vicious temper will 
convert every thing into a hell. In vain will the honest 
father attempt to build up, when the perverse mother is 
always pulling down. Alas, that there are any of this 
description ! or that we should find so many unhappy fami« 
lies among a people w T ho profess the doctrines of Jesus 
Christ. Often, however, is this owing to the unworthi- 
ness of the father. In such cases, a tender mother will 
strive to sweeten the affliction which he has brought into 
the domestic circle. She will attend to those who need 
her consolation and protection. She will take upon her- 

6 



&6 Hours of devotion. 

self all their sufferings, and bear them alone in her heart, 
But the weakness and frailties of the mother, are more 
serious in their consequences than those of the father. 
Therefore she should be more particular in avoiding them. 
She is ever present, and her example of either good or 
evil, will have a more certain influence. 

In vain is the husband's frugality and enterprize, if the 
wife is fond of show ; and to gratify her foolish propensi- 
ties, scatters with one hand what he has collected with 
another, Misery is always the result ; and instead of 
wealth, or even a competence, they are sooner or later re* 
duced to want. 

In vain, also, is the love and kindness of the father, 
when the mother fails to preserve the equanimity of heT 
temper. Can she effect more by petulance and ill-humour 
than gentleness or friendly admonition ? It is certain that 
the natural irritability of many women, incline them great- 
ly to ill humour ; but it is also evident that their sullenness 
is not of long duration, and that they can easily obtain th& 
mastery over their feelings. 

The man, who is accustomed to the storms of life, be- 
comes imperious and authoritative. The woman has receiv- 
ed no other arms to vanquish with, than gentleness and af- 
fection. By these she will prudently avoid every thing 
that leads to danger ; by these, she can at length soften 
and overcome even the impetuous tyrant. If she endea- 
vours to extort by rudeness and force what she should ac- 
quire by mildness and persuasion, she looses those charms 
and graces which nature has given her; and she be- 



If OURS OF DEVOTION, C >T 

comes not only hateful to herself, but an abhorrence to 
others. Such too, is the mother ; who, instead of promot- 
ing the happiness of her family, becomes by her vices an 
imbecility ; a curse and torment to all who know her. 

Wouldest thou be numbered with the most exalted of thy 
sex ? wouldest thou desire the reputation of an amiable 
and christian wife ? then ask thyself if all in the domestic 
circle, of which thou art the centre, are as happy as they 
might be ; or if only one be discontented, whose fault it is. 
Hast thou not given occasion for this uneasiness ? Hast 
thou done all in thy power to reconcile one to the other ? 
Wast thou always impartial in thy kindness and love ? Or 
wast thou sometimes the creature of thy own weakness 
and caprice ? 

Wouldest thou behold the true image of the christian 
housewife ? It is described to thee by the apostle. " To 
be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, obedient to their own 
husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." In 
these few words is the substance of all thy duties, and the 
source of all earthly and future happiness* 

Thou shalt be discreet ; thy virtues shall be a model for 
the imitation of thy family. Without religion, however, 
thou canst not be truly in possession of virtue ; but only the 
shadow of it. 

There is no creature in human society so contemptible 
as the woman, who, with a little superficial reading, loves 
to play the philosopher and skeptic ; more however, out of 
vanity than any solid reflection. On the other hand, no- 
thing is half so prepossessing as the female, who, in .addi-- 



®S HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

tion to her other graces, and without bigotry, fanaticism, 
or hypocrisy, lives in the full belief and cordial expectation 
of a better home beyond the grave. 

To this belief, the mother should strictly adhere. It 
alone, can keep her firm in the tempests of life. Without 
it she is worthless. She should impress it too, upon the 
minds of her children, and be to them a pattern of meek- 
ness and devotion. 

Be thou chaste in thought and in deed. Purity of mind 
is the most valuable ornament of a woman. If it is once 
lost it can never be restored. If thou art faithless to the 
vow pledged upon the altar, the peace of thy household is 
forever forfeited, and thy happiness is wounded beyond the 
hope of a cure. Thou shouldst be careful to avoid every 
thing that might awake the slightest degree of jealous}- — 
that fiendish murderer of domestic peace. If it but once 
fasten upon the mind, it will forever haunt you. Attend 
faithfully to these things, and let not the most trifling in- 
cident cast even a shadow upon thy reputation. Be not 
too fond of running abroad, and thereby neglect thy duties 
at home ; but rather strive to save and prudently treasure 
up the earnings of thy industrious husband. 

Cleanliness too, is of inestimable value. He who would 
assure himself of the perfection of a housewife, has only to 
enter her dwelling, and every thing that he sees will reveal 
some good trait of her character. It will not be a fine 
display of furniture, so much as it is order and regularity. 
It will not be that her commands are obeyed, so much as 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 69 

the manner in which they are obeyed, that must test the 
excellency of her understanding and heart. 

She should be economical, and kind to all, particularly 
to her husband : so that he will not go beyond the domes- 
tie circle in pursuit of pleasure. She should also, careful- 
ly avoid every thing that might tend to destroy their 
mutual good feelings ; and to make the bonds of love the 
stronger, she should possess an utter guilelessness and sim- 
plicity of heart ,* and have no secrets or faults, even the 
most trifling, to conceal from him, which might awaken 
his suspicion or lessen his confidence. Once deceived, and 
there will be distrust for ever. Often a slight misunder- 
standing, because of too great an obstinacy to communi- 
cate freely with each other, is the cause of matrimonial 
unhappiness for a whole life. A single fault on either side, 
is sometimes succeeded by a thousand. 

A good mother will be affectionate to her children. It 
is needless to exhort her to love for her little innocents ; 
yet it is necessary to caution her against the improper use 
of it, that she may not show too great an indulgence to 
their faults, or evince a greater fondness for one than ano- 
ther. This preference has a very serious influence upon 
the mind of a less favoured child. She should, therefore, 
carefully guard against it. 

She should be kind to her servants^ without too much 
pride or haughtiness, otherwise she will excite their dis- 
gust, and they will only do their duty when they are vigi- 
lantly watched. She should also, be kind to all those who 
are in any way connected with her household. She will 

9* 



71 HOURS OF DEVOTION* 

overlook trifles, for the sake of preserving the mutual re- 
spect and harmony of her neighbors. She will always 
discountenance the gossip that is carried on between fami- 
lies ; and although she may hear much in the circle of her 
friends, aflfosting the character of others ; yet she will only 
listen to the good, and turn a deaf ear to the evil. The 
abject and degraded wretches of the earthy may propagate 
vile, malicious, and slanderous reports of others ; but she 
will claim a more exalted rank in society, than to identify 
herself with such paltry and low lived drivellers. Such 
is the christian mother, as she is portrayed in the inspired 
volume. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 11 



DOMESTIC SORROW AND HAPPINESS. 

We have somewhere said, that a fearful anticipation of 
evil is more to be dreaded than the misfortune itself. This 
we can learn from our own experience. It is seldom how- 
ever, that we are disposed to profit by such experimental 
knowledge. Mankind generally, repose so little confidence 
in the providence of God, that they are thrown into con- 
sternation at the appearance of every trifling calamity. 
Although it is our duty carefully to watch the future, and 
guard against every possible evil, yet it is wrong to live in 
constant fear and anxiety. The happiest of men have their 
sorrows. None are exempt. We may look forward, but 
cannot tell what a day or an hour may bring forth. In the 
midst of prosperity we may sink into wretchedness and 
want. 

Our unhappiness increases with our consciousness of the 
mutability of worldly riches. The child has but little un- 
easiness, because it is ignorant of the vicisitudes of life. 
It is happy in the possession of its toys, and looks not to 
the approach of evil. 

Our sorrows increase with our love for wealth. He is 
the most unhappy, who has the most passionate inclinations. 
The ambitious, who value too highly the good opinion of 
the world, are always afraid of loosing their reputation. 
The miser, who hoards up his riches, is always in terror, 
lest they should be taken from him. If you would lessen 



72 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

your afflictions, you have only to diminish the violence of 
the passions which govern you. Learn to place a higher 
estimate upon those things which are of greater impor- 
tance. Our happiness must not be such, that it can be de- 
stroyed by every trifling incident. Children are compara- 
tively happy, because their attention is not taken up 
exclusively with one object. They deplore and forget, and 
find new pleasures. The changes of life, are to them only 
as a play that delights for the moment. 

Our sorrows increase as we become more intimately 
connected with mankind. The more retired we live from 
the world, the less are our chances of misfortune. Our 
wants are diminished, and our hearts gayer and more elas- 
tic. But we will experience afflictions even in solitude, if 
we take with us a foreboding and restless spirit. Here a 
single evil may occasion us as much uneasiness, as before 
did the many. We give the coloring to our own calamities — 
for one which we do not seriously regard as such, can have 
but little influence upon our minds. Therefore it is, that 
some men are but slightly affected with the ills of life, 
while others give way to misery, anguish and despair. 

People generally believe that domestic sorrows are the 
heaviest. For this reason we observe, particularly in 
cities, many persons who carefully avoid the matrimonial 
state. But such conclusions are founded upon a false view 
of life. They denote an absence of all true religion ; 
they are an evidence of secret and devouring passions, that 
swallow up the better inclinations of our nature : they 
show a want of confidence in the words of holy writ, 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 73 

" that all things work together for good to them that love 
God." 

He who avoids the matrimonial life through a fear of its 
burthens, subjects himself eventually, to much greater af- 
flictions. He is always a stranger in the world. There 
are none to soothe his sufferings, or share with him his joys. 
In sickness, he must purchase the kindness of his atten- 
dants. In his old age he is solitary and wretched, with- 
out the endearing tenderness of a wife or children. 

Domestic care is productive of domestic happiness. 
Only he therefore, who lives in accordance with the doc- 
trines of our Saviour, is convinced " that all things work 
together for good to them that love God." He who truly 
and conscientiously adores his creator, shows it by a strict 
performance of all his duties, and has nothing to fear in his 
tribulations. Whatever privations he may endure, he 
knows it is all for the best. Why then should he fall a 
prey to grief? The world endures only in the existence of 
an Almighty ; and without an unerring belief in his provi- 
dence, there can be no human happiness. This is the high- 
est earthly wisdom, and forces upon us the conviction that 
one of our greatest evils is a too great indulgence of our 
appetites, in things that are temporal and inconstant. 

A matrimonial life often indines a man to pious deeds. 
The greater his affliction, the more often he communes with 
his God. He who has to provide only for himself, does 
not rely so confidently upon his maker. Love guides us, 
with a tender hand, to the paths of virtue, and leads us to 
a contemplation of heaven and eternity. The recollections 



74 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

of an amiable wife and children, will often withhold a man 
from the perpetration of crimes, which in other circum- 
stances he would have unhesitatingly committed. 

Domestic happiness springs out of domestic cares. Who 
would be entirely without them 1 They add new pleasures 
to our existence. He must not be unacquainted with sor- 
row, who would experience rapture and delight. But we 
will find no happiness on earth equal to that which flows 
from a pure and virtuous mind. 

We should not be too careless of the future. By attend- 
ing only to our present circumstances, and forgetting every 
thing else in the possession of one object, we prepare for 
ourselves misery and ruin. We can enjoy no greater plea- 
sure than that of improving our condition, by our own 
unwearied exertions. The inheritance of an unexpected 
fortune, does not afford us a tithe of the pleasure that would 
the earnings of our own industry. The more numerous 
therefore the difficulties we are obliged to encounter in pro- 
moting the welfare of our families, the more deep and last- 
ing is the happiness we enjoy. A hundred trifles, which 
the eye of the stranger does not observe, are a source of joy, 
and we confidently feel, that domestic care is greatly pro- 
ductive of domestic happiness. 

When our Saviour instructed us to " take no thought for 
the morrow," we are not to understand that he would re- 
commend carelessness or inactivity. The whole course of 
his life proved the contrary to this. He provided for the 
happiness of the whole human family. He disclaimed 
against idleness and luxury. He taught his disciples not to 
4{ eat any man's bread for nought." He warned them 



HOUSS OP DEVOTION. iD 

against a restless anxiety to heap up worldly treasures? 
which only tend to consume the noblest powers of the soul, 
and unfit us for elevating ourselves above the sordidness of 
earth, 

A certain degree of care is very beneficial ; but too much 
solicitude is highly pernicious ; because we are thereby pre- 
vented from avoiding many misfortunes, or at least -from 
counteracting in some measure their disasterous conse- 
quences. He who possesses sufficient firmness to accom- 
plish this, has already obtained half the victory. To be 
prepared for danger, is to escape its worst results. 

Conquer thyself, and thou hast conquered half the world.* 
Be temperate in thy wishes. Love nothing with so much 
earnestness as thy religious principles, then the loss of any 
earthly object will be the less painful to thee. Give thyself 
often to the reflection, that in a moment thou mayest be de- 
prived of thy wife, thy children, thy friends, thy property, or 
thy reputation. Thou mayest also be deprived of that to 
which thou hast clung with too much fondness, and which 
hath hindered thee from raising the structure of thy happi- 
ness upon the basis of virtue and prudence. It is the will 
of God to call thy affections from the perishable things of 
earth, to those that are imperishable and full of glory. 
Prepare thyself for the greatest possible calamity, so that 
when the trying hour of peril comes, thou mayest not relin- 
quish all happiness at a single blow. If thou lovest God, 
then thou art convinced that all things work together for the 
best. 

*This is a German maxim, which means that it is easier to con- 
quer belf the world, than our own passions and imbecilities. 



76 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

Parents, though bereft of their children, and doomed to 
poverty; though they may be compelled to toil for their 
bread in a strange land, and among a strange people ; yet 
they are not entirely miserable when they can contemplate 
a better existence hereafter. The true christian possesses 
those attributes, which will enable him to triumph over eve- 
ry misfortune. He cares but little for the opinions of the 
cold and unfeeling world. Although sorrows may molest 
him, yet he remains undisturbed. He stands like the un- 
yielding rock amid the buffeting of the heaving and angry 
billows. It is only to a mind like this, fraught with every 
thing that is pure and good, that domestic cares are produc- 
tive of happiness : To the wise man, they are only as the 
beams of light that fall upon a beautiful picture, and in- 
crease its splendor and magnificence. Those by whom 
he is surrounded are the dearer to him, because they re- 
quire his attention. No one esteems his health so highly, 
as he who has been a prey to sickness. How indifferent 
would many things appear, if they did not excite in us an 
interest. The fields are covered with innumerable flowers, 
but the single one we took care of and nourished, affords 
us more pleasure than all the rest. How sweet are the 
feelings of solicitude manifested by the mother for her babe ! 
Would she be deprived of it, rather than undergo the anxiety 
which it occasions her? And thus, would the husband 
yield up his endearing wife? or the son his excellent father? 
No ! Then domestic cares must be a source of the highest 
enjoyment. And even though they should occasion us 
much sorrow and trouble, they will be sweetened by the 



HOUES OF DEVOTION. 77 

power of love. Our afflictions are the lighter, when they 
are mutually borne by each other. 

We again repeat, that our cares are productive of happi- 
ness : and every calamity w r e cannot thereby avoid, is the 
dispensation of providence. Therefore is fear and anxiety 
in vain. The only true misfortune is the possession of 
corrupt and dishonest principles ; for we can never wipe 
away the remembrance of a crime. No arguments can 
throw a mantle over our guilt. No one can console us, 
where our own consciences upbraid us. Men may acquit 
us, but the anguish of our souls will still burn on as fierce- 
ly as ever. 



79 HOURS OF DEVOTION 



THE EVILS OF POVERTY. 

It is a very common error to judge of the excellency of 
individuals or nations, according to the wealth which they 
possess. The best and wisest governments, like some of 
our noblest and most learned men, have not always been 
the richest. Nor have the most opulent of either, been 
always distinguished for their praise -worthy qualities. 

The wealth of a nation, any further than that which is 
necessary for her maintenance, does not contribute to the 
happiness of its individual members. On the other hand, 
the more a people have to toil, in order to procure a sub- 
sistence, the fewer are the opportunities for the improve- 
ment of their minds, and less attention is consequently 
paid to the pursuits of learning and science. It is there- 
fore, no advantage to possess more or less than adequate 
means for support. A small fountain will quench our thirst 
as completely as the largest river. 

Our sympathy for the poor man, because he sleeps upon 
a bed of straw, is entirely misplaced. There are many 
who even envy his happiness. The poor are only to be 
pitied, when their health is impaired from a want of the 
necessaries of life ; or when they are obliged to labor so 
continually, that the improvement of their minds is en- 
tirely neglected, and they become thereby, mere walking 
machines. In both instances, the high purposes of their 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 79 

existence is entirely forgotten. Their life is little more 
than an animal existence. They are like the hungry and 
devouring beasts of prey ; and from among them comes 
forth mendicants and robbers. In this light we may con- 
sider the poverty of nations as well as individuals. 

Nor are those people the less poor, who accustom them- 
selves to so many artificial desires, that it requires their 
unceasing exertions to gratify them ; thereby sacrificing 
the nobler pursuits and enjoyments of life. Thus it is with 
many nations of the present day, who are rich in agricul- 
ture and commerce ; yet they are rendered extremely 
poor, by the number of fictitious wants which they have 
foolishly created. 

An individual would always have enough and to spare, 
if he were contented with only the necessities of life. But 
when he gives a loose rein to his pride, and fancies that it is 
indispensible to have splendid houses, or costly entertain- 
ments in imitation of his superiors, he finds that all his ef- 
forts are scarcely equal to the task. Thus, his life is one 
of constant misery and servitude. 

What was the design of our creation ? Was it that we 
might participate only in low, sordid pleasures, and look 
with contempt upon the more ennobling attributes of our 
nature ? Why did God give us an immortal spirit 1 why 
did his son come upon the earth ? or why is there an eter- 
nity prepared to receive us ? Is it that we may attend only 
to the fleeting and fickle things of earth? Is it that we may 
prostitute our minds and bodies to the worst possible purpo- 
ses ? Is it that we may engage in religious worship as a 



SO HOERS OP DEVOTION. 

cold formal duty ? a mere idle and unnecessary custom ? 
What an age of depravity, when the thoughts and affections 
of men rest only upon the transient and unstable things of 
the world. 

Much is said about beneficial institutions, but scarcely a 
thought is hazarded as to the expediency of educating the 
poorer classes. Our philanthropic brethren affect to be- 
lieve they have done all that is requisite by clearing the 
streets of beggars, and giving those who are able to work, 
an opportunity of supporting themselves by their industry. 
But this is only a small part of their duty. They must not 
-merely reclaim the beggar from his idle habits, but if they 
would confer upon him a real and lasting benefit, they must 
also enlighten his understanding. If they would learn the 
true evils of poverty, then they would be the better able to 
choose a fitting remedy. 

He who can earn enough to clothe and feed himself and 
family is far from being poor. In this case he ought to be 
satisfied, for his absolute wants are very few. To those 
who are unable to procure themselves a decent livelihood, 
we must distribute alms. But the wilful idler should be 
denounced, for he feeds upon the labour of other men with- 
out thanks. 

In our charitable institutions, the bodily, but not the in- 
tellectual wants receive attention. Thus, the poor are made 
the most abject slaves. Their minds are unenlightened — 
their manners uncouth — their passions vicious and cor- 
rupt — their pleasures of the most degrading character. 
They are guilty of every species of crime, such as gamb- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 81 

ling, drunkenness, and robbery. Still they are our bre- 
thren, and creatures of the same God, while we scarcely 
think of ameliorating their condition. 

We increase the evils of poverty by extending improvi- 
dent help to those who are rendered poor by the number of 
their artificial wants. Improvident it must be, if we confer 
alms, without requiring an equivalent in labor ; if we give 
employment without education or instruction, or either, 
without a proper sense of moral and religious duty. 

Alms-giving is productive of idleness, and idleness is just- 
ly termed the parent of all evil. He who bestows unmerit- 
ed charity upon a beggar, oftentimes makes him a volup- 
tuary or glutton. His ideas of the true value of money 
are as vague as those of the affluent, who have always been 
accustomed to plenty. Neither of them take any thought 
for the morrow. They are both extravagant in their own 
peculiar way. The one relies upon the immensity of his 
wealth ; the other upon the charity and liberality of the 
world. 

Alms without labour are the seeds from which spring 
thieves and robbers. Feed the tiger and he will at length 
devour you. It would be an evidence of the greatest inhu- 
manity on the part of a people, to permit a man, who can- 
not labour for his support, to wander from door to door so- 
liciting alms. On the other hand, it would indicate a great 
want of public discretion, if a man, who is able to work, is 
withheld from industrious habits by misplaced charity. 

To give employment without improving the mind, is con- 
verting freemen into slaves, Is the body superior to the 
soul, that it receives our exclusive attention ? Let us look 

V 



82 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

at the neglected familes of the husbandman. Like the beast 
of burthen, six days have they laboured. The seventh, al- 
lotted for their rest, is one of sordid pleasures. According 
to custom, they go to church and engage in its forms, with- 
out comprehending their import. They hear a sermon, 
without being able to fathom its meaning. They have eyes, 
but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear. Their 
religion is an idle ceremony ; and their wisdom consists of 
a few superstitious notions. The revelation of God is to 
them a mystery. Therefore we cannot expect much piety 
of those, who mechanically pursue the same beaten track, 
without having their minds enlightened, and thereby divest- 
ing themselves of prejudice and error. 

Let us examine the factories of our cities and towns, 
where a multitude of children are labouring from morning 
to night. They are excluded their whole lives, from any 
thing like refinement. They listen to the indecent conver- 
sation of those who are older in vice, and learn in time to 
imitate them. What benefit does their labour confer upon 
them % None ! — For a trifling reward, they sacrifice both 
their bodies and souls. They are by the cruelty and sel- 
fishness of their employers, under the pretence of better- 
ing their condition, hurled to the depths of infamy and de- 
gradation.* 

If we would lessen the true evils of poverty, it must sot 
be merely by a profusion of alms, or a rich remuneration 
of labour ; but rather by instilling into the mind a love of 

•This the reader will remember, refers to the factories of Ger- 
many, where their inmates receive no education. 



HOUBS OF DEVOTION* 83 

virtue, and a proper degree of moral firmness. Then we 
will understand that to be contented with little, is the great* 
est riches. He who has many wants, would be miserable 
with unbounded wealth. Therefore, if you would enrich 
the poor, learn them to be moderate in their senses. In- 
struct them to become useful and beneficial to others with- 
out great affluence themselves. Awake their pride that 
they may be more independent of other men, whose assis- 
tance they do not necessarily require. Otherwise their ex- 
istence is as a blank, and their lives a continued scene of 
sorrow and wretchedness. All that is great and good will 
appear to them as a vague and shadowy dream. Ignorance, 
prejudice and superstition will nestle in their minds, with a 
thousand guilty and overruling passions ; and they will live 
in the world, without a consciousness of the love and mer- 
cy of their creator. These are the true evils of poverty, 
which unhappily have such a general existence, that the 
man in silken robes is oftentimes poorer than the beggar to 
whom he flings a moiety of alms. 

And finally, how is it with myself? I have a home and 
every thing that is needful for me, yet am I much poorer 
than I appear. I have become the slave of unnecessary 
desires, and have thought only of personal gratifications ; 
but henceforth I will endeavour to promote the welfare of 
my fellow men, and live in accordance with the holiness of 
God. 



94 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 



THE PLEASURES OF POVERTY. 

Is wealth the only thing upon earth that can render us 
happy t Such would seem to be our conclusion, if we are 
to judge from the innumerable schemes and projects, which 
are entered into by men. What an increasing desire to 
amass w r ealth ! For it the farmer and mechanic deny them- 
selves all recreation — for it, the warrior perils his life in 
the field of battle — for it, the sailor careers upon the deep, 
and struggles in his fragile barque with the fury of the 
elements. And what does it avail, when the shadows of 
age are stealing upon us ? What does it profit us, when a 
long life has been worn out in its accumulation, and we 
find ourselves feeble and exhausted ? Will it give back to 
us the gaiety of our youth ? Will it change the color of 
our hoary locks ? Will it impart new colour to our faded 
and withered cheeks ? Will it add a single hour to our ex- 
istence ? No : these things it cannot do ; and we are oblig- 
ed to part from our possessions, when we are just prepar- 
ing to enjoy them. 

What is the advantage of our great opulence ? Can we 
do more than to satisfy our wants? Are the precious 
viands of the rich more delightful to our palates, than the 
simple meat of the industrious cottager? Will expensive 
cloths impart a more genial warmth to the body, than 
those with which we used to encounter the tempest. Are 



HOUKS OF DEVOTION. 85 

we more attentive to the cries of suffering humanity, when 
we have increased our riches ? Are we more worthy and 
honorable, now that fawning sycophants pour upon us their 
adulation ? 

It is a strange delusion for men to suppose, that happi- 
ness consists in riches. Contentment is not to be found in 
splendor and magnificence; or why is it that princes some- 
times exchange the grandeur of a palace for the more 
simple enjoyments of private life ? Why is the counte- 
nance of the rich man furrowed with thought and anxiety, 
while the poor go on their way shouting and exulting in 
the blessings which God hath given them ? Why does the 
man who has grown in wealth, look back to the days of his 
poverty, and ask himself why he cannot now rejoice as 
heartily over the much, as he did over the little ? 

We are told by one of the wise men of old, that many 
are poor with great property ; and many also are rich, yet 
hath nothing.* Every day's experience will attest the truth 
of the maxim. It is not whether we possess great or 
limited estates, that is to determine our wealth or poverty. 
It is the manner in which they are appropriated to our 
use. The labourer, with his crust of bread at the side of 
a clear fountain, is richer than the seaman who is starving 
upon the ocean for the want of food, with all the treasures 
of India. It is the rational enjoyment of our wealth that 
constitutes us rich. 

Gaining is very properly termed an art. Chil- 
dren are instructed in it by their parents, as though it 

* Prov. xiii, T, 



86 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

were the most important and indispensible part of their 
education. But to enjoy their gains, with wisdom and pru- 
dence, is an art of more inestimable value, which they 
know but little about. 

The world may deem thee poor, because thou hast few- 
er earthly blessings than others. Of this thou shouldst 
not complain. Thou canst be rich, even in thy poverty. 
He only is poor who will not partake of the happiness that 
is prepared for him. Limit thy wants, and thou wilt pos- 
sess every thing that is needful. A cottage will shelter 
thee as well as a palace. There are many things with 
which thou canst easily dispense. Do not imitate the 
foolish vanities of the rich. It will involve thee in expense 
and thou wilt only be despised by them for thy pains. 
Esteem only the friendship of those who respect thee for 
thy good qualities. All else are flatterers. Do not be 
afraid of being called a miser because thou art economical. 
It will enable thee to exercise thy benevolence, and assist 
those who are poorer than thyself. This will prepare for 
thee new happiness. Thou wilt despise the foolish reck- 
lessness of thy fellow mortals. Thy industry will support 
thee and thy family without being dependent upon others. 
Only then wilt thou feel a consciousness of thy own supe- 
riority. Only then wilt thou feel that peace and serenity 
of mind, to which thou before aspired in vain. 

Those who are poor in earthly treasures, yet rich in con- 
tentment, are the most useful members of society. They 
are not tramelled by the prejudices of custom and educa- 
tion. The most distinguished and virtuous men of anti- 



HOURS OP DEVOTION. 87 

quity were poor. The pressure of circumstances, and the 
wonderful self-denial which distinguished their lives, seems 
to have added an increased grandeur and sublimity to their 
genius* 

Our Saviour was an indigent wanderer upon the earth — 
still he was infinitely rich. He was the benefactor of all 
who came unto him. He was despised and neglected, but 
now he is worshipped by kings and princes. Often he 
knew not where to lay his head, yet he was able to give a 
ransom to the whole world. Neither were his disciples 
chosen from among the sons of the great and noble ; but 
he sought them in the depths of poverty, and lo ! a Peter 
and Paul came forth, and the idolatrous temple of the hea- 
thens disappeared, and the church of Christ rose upon its 
ruins. 

He who understands the art of being rich in poverty, 
will escape its greatest evils. Where there is indigence, 
there is some other dispensation of providence which 
places the poor on a level with the rich. One is blooming 
with health, while the other is undergoing all the evils of 
idleness and luxury. The former is delighted with some 
trifling gift, while the latter is miserable with the most 
costly treasures. The poor man slumbers as sweetly upon 
his bed of straw, as the prince upon his couch of damask 
and silk. He has greater opportunities of enjoyment, be- 
cause he has not so much care and responsibility to disturb 
his mind. The more varied our transactions in life, the 
more chances have we of trouble and anxiety. 

The rich have more enemies than the honest and unas- 



38 nOURS OF DEVOTION. 

suming poor. Their faults are rendered more glaring by 
the station which they occupy in society. Envy does not 
seek its victims in obscurity. He, therefore, who lives a 
public life, makes a sacrifice of his domestic happiness. 
Poverty also tends to develope the noblest powers of the 
soul. But why do I extol its pleasures, or its advantages ? 
No one can doubt of their existence, nor that our Creator 
has given a light for every shadow. 

The world may think me rich ; but notwithstanding all 
my industry, economy and enterprize, I am much poorer 
than I desire. I cannot benefit others, because I have so 
many unnecessary wants of my own. If I could live tem- 
perately, what abundance there wonld be in store for me. 
Why do I make myself unhappy by the multitude of my 
desires ? Why do I not seek for contentment — the most 
inestimable of all earthly treasures? I will renounce 
every thing that is not essential to my existence. Custom 
may be difficult to overcome, but I will arm myself with 
a firm resolution. I will not heed the malice of my neigh- 
bors who may dislike me because I have forsaken their 
foolish ways. I will be better able than they to assist and 
comfort my needy friends. As my pride and sensuality 
diminish — as I learn to triumph over the grovelling plea- 
sures of the world, so will my mind increase in purity and 
strength, and my soul be fitted for the enjoyments of 
heaven. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



80 



THE EVILS OF WEALTH. 

Our Saviour came from Gallilee into the land of Judea, 
beyond Jordan. His fame had already spread far and wide, 
and people of every description, both rich and poor, respect- 
ed and despised, learned and ignorant, went out to meet him 
on his arrival. Among the number, there came to him one 
day, a young man of great wealth and high standing, who 
enquired what he should do that he might have eternal life. 
He was told to keep the commandments. He replied 
that these he had obeyed from his childhood, but wished to 
become still more perfect. Then our Saviour was resolved 
to try the firmness of the youth, and answered — if thou wilt 
become perfect, thou must take courage and sacrifice every 
thing that thou hast. Thou art rich. Go, sell thy goods, 
give to the poor, and follow me. When the youth heard 
this, he went away sorrowful, and disappeared in the 
crowd, He placed great confidence in his own courage, 
but he could not comply with such an unexpected demand. 
Verily, " it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a 
needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of 
God." 

Supposing that the Almighty had decreed that his son, 
instead of appearing upon the earth two thousand years 
ago, should come among us at the present time, amid the 
altars we have erected to his worship, and require as here- 
tofore, the same sacrifices and self-denial of the rich? 

8 



00 HOURS OF DEVOTION* 

What would be the consequence ? How many are there 
who would resign their professions, to follow him in his 
persecutions 1 Many believe they are ready to part with 
their wealth and take up the cross ; but what is the result 
when they are brought to the trial? Are they firm, reso- 
lute and unwavering ? Alas, no ! 

Wealth has a dangerous and paralyzing effect upon the 
mind, and greatly retards its improvement. Therefore 
did our Redeemer exclaim, "it is easier for a camel to 
go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to en- 
ter into the kingdom of God." And still, at the present 
day, it seems to be the paramount concern of all to amass 
large fortunes. Each one is striving to be richer than his 
neighbor. They disregard the sacred precept : for what 
shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and 
lose his own soul?" How often is innocence, truth and 
equity ; life, liberty and the hope of eternal glory, con- 
temptuously bartered for a handful of gold ? 

It is no wonder that avarice has become a prevaling 
vice of the age. The art of accumulating wealth, seems 
to be one of the most prominent features of our education. 
It is the first lesson that children receive from their pa- 
rents. For this alone they are sent to school — instructed 
in the arts and sciences, or learnt a trade or profession. 
For this, mankind engage in the most degrading pursuits, 
and oftentimes mark their career with crime. For this, 
matrimony is entered into with all the critical nicety of a 
problem. Is there one man, who, in his poverty, despises 
wealthy, and weighs it as nothing in comparison to honest 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 91 

virtue or intelligence ? If so, how is he gazed at by the 
crowd, and derided as a fool. How is he pitied, even by 
those who pretend to admire the precepts of the wise king 
who prayed for wisdom instead of riches. But to them, 
this wisdom is a folly, and what they applaud in him they 
censure in others. 

A desire for wealth, is the great moving principle of 
almost every family at the present day. They toil not for 
a decent livelihood, or a simple gratification of their wants; 
but like madmen, they heap up riches in the vain hope 
that it may add a lustre to their characters. They desire 
wealth, that they may have honor, influence and power. 
They think a man is esteemed in pioportionto the amount 
of his gold. The learning and integrity of the poor are 
mere atoms in the scale with the ignorance and immorality 
of the rich. To be sure, there are some exceptions, but 
they are very few, and will be found modestly concealed in 
a corner. Well may it be said, " it is easier for a camel 
to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to 
enter into the kingdom of God." They seem to think that 
they can attain the joys of heaven with the same ease that 
they would acquire a fortune. But they know not what 
they do. They trifle away their souls without heeding 
their danger. They live only for the enjoyments of earth; 
and make a sacrifice of their virtue, religion, and eternal 
salvation. 

Wealth, if not a positive, is at least a very formidable 
barrier to our entrance into the kingdom of God. But 
why should it destroy the sublime and holy aspirations -of 



92 HCttJRS OF DEVOTION. 

the soul ? We answer that the children of affluent parent 
are so educated, that they receive at the commencement 
of life, a wrong bias to their minds. They are indulged 
and flattered by their teachers and others, on account of 
their parentage or wealth. They grow idle, luxurious, ef- 
feminate, proud, overbearing and haughty. These are the 
evils of wealth. It is common, therefore, to observe our 
most worthy and learned men, growing out of poverty and 
obscurity ; while others, who have been accustomed to lux- 
ury and wealth, too often degenerate into all the vices and 
weakness of the age. 

Iron necessity is the best instructor we can have. It 
drives us to the development of our own powers ; it is the 
foster-mother of great and excellent minds. In glittering 
palaces and halls, we may look in vain for virtue or noble- 
ness of soul. Ignorance and flattery stand as sentinels at - 
the gates to guard against their entrance. 

The marriages of the affluent (more frequently in con- 
sideration of wealth and power, than affection or love,) 
greatly contribute to the weakness and degeneracy of the 
age by the bringing up of their offspring in effeminate habits. 
Look at the children of the middle classes, and compare 
their glowing cheeks with the pale faces of the rich. It 
is true, the latter may be more polished in their manners, 
but does this give them a more benevolent disposition ? Are 
not these formalities too often their exclusive aim ? A de- 
cent deportment, without the affectation to assume an ap- 
pearance of wisdom or virtue which does not really belong 
to us, should be one of the chief designs of our education* 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 93 

Religion and piety are mere subordinate things, when a 
olaim is laid to them only because custom seems to demand 

it. 

We only begin to think of God, when the world is be- 
ginning to forget us. After the body is worn away with 
sickness, then the soul' claims our attention; and we en- 
quire about the reality of an eternity, when our worldly 
umbition is blighted or withered away. The heart cannot 
be improved without a perfect consciousness of its wicked- 
ness and deceit ; and he who has struggled with adversity, 
is the most inclined to rely upon his own strength and en- 
ergy. Self-knowledge will more frequently be found among 
the poor than the rich. The latter are too much accustom- 
ed to adulation, and thereby overrate their powers. Their 
sycophantic friends are ever ready to exhibit their faults 
as insignificant, and to magnify some every-day act of 
charity into a great and unexampled virtue. They listen 
with an eager ear, and are willing to be deceived, because 
they are not acquainted with their own infirmities, and love 
to have their vanity gratified. 

A life of affluence, divested of care and trouble, often 
produces an inequality of mind. Undisturbed repose is a 
barrier to great and exalted pursuits. Thus, we often find 
the children of the rich seldom acquainted with any thing 
that does not relate to the art of gaining wealth. The 
wisdom and beneficence of their Creator is a secondary ; 
nay, even worthless reflection. While the poor man, 
struggling with adversity, turns to his God for consolation, 
they content themselves with the wise deductions of some 

8* 



94 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

pseudo philosopher. Their rank and wealth, seems to have 
released them from the common faith or belief of mankind. 
Their superficial knowledge is regarded as well founded 
intelligence. Revelation they pronounce a fiction ; and its 
advocates, whom they compare with the heathens, either 
deceived themselves or deceiving others. But, notwith- 
standing, they have a religion of their own. They become 
the founders of a creed that will make no inroad upon their 
sensuality, nor disprove the propriety of gratifying their 
carnal appetites. Unable to comprehend the grandeur and 
sublimity of true religion, their time is monopolized with 
wild and extravagant theories, until life is wasted away, 
and the soul is ready to depart from its withered tenement. 
Then, in the anguish of their repentance, they often be- 
come senseless bigots or irreclaimable fanatics. These 
are the unquestionable evils of wealth, which contains in 
itself a dangerous poison, by which the mind is corrupted, 
and frequently whole nations are sunk into utter oblivion. 
The luxuries of life greatly tend to impair the energies 
of the soul. He, who gives himself up to worldly enjoy- 
ments, has but little pleasure in his existence, because there 
is nothing to which he can aspire. He forever grovels in 
the dust. The poor have not the same chances of evil.. 
They look forward to the time when their sorrows shall 
cease ; and here we may observe the wisdom of an ever- 
ruling providence, which assigns to but few men an abun- 
dance : but trouble and anxiety to the many. 

It is an error of the higher and more wealthy classes 
to look with contempt upon their inferiors, and to regard 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 95 

them as servile beings, created only to administer to their 
caprices and wants. But we are commanded to love our 
neighbors as ourselves ; for we are all children of the same 
eternal father; and this feeling is the most frequently 
cherished by the poor man, because it teaches him that 
kings and princes, in the estimation of God, are on a level 
with their meanest subjects. The rich, however, are so 
inflated with pride, and so completely the dupes of their 
own prejudices, that they pretend to deny all such equality, 
even in the land of spirits. Wealth and rank, in many in- 
stances, prevents the performance of christian duties. 
Therefore, may we again exclaim, with the inspired volume, 
it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of 
God. 

Oh, thou infinite and adorable father of the universe, I 
pray thee to grant me wisdom instead of wealth, that I 
may live upon earth in accordance with thy holy will. 
Give me neither poverty nor great riches, so that I may 
avoid the evils incident to both. A competence is all that 
I necessarily require, and it is ray ov/n fault if it -does -not 
prove to me an abundance. 



96 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



THE PLEASURES OF WEALTH. 

In the dim twilight, the stiffened corpse of the Messiah 
hung loosely from the cross. His life, upon that day of ter- 
ror, had been made a sacrifice. The gaping and indiffe- 
rent crowd had dispersed. The enemies of Jesus, who had 
triumphantly witnessed his death, and satisfied their re- 
venge with his blood, had retired to Jerusalem to celebrate 
their victory. 

The timid friends of the Saviour did not dare to ap- 
proach the sacrifice through fear of the mob. They with- 
drew, weeping and sorrowful, and concealed themselves in 
their rude houses. Lonely and deserted was Golgotha. 
But footsteps broke upon the silence of the hour ,* and men 
came hurrying from Jerusalem, with hearts full of love. 
Among them was Joseph of Arimathea, one of the richest 
and most respectable citizens of Jerusalem, a member of 
the high council, and honored by Pilate the Roman gover- 
nor. There also came one of the most worthy and esti- 
mable of the Pharisees, called Nicodemus, whose servants 
carried with them myrrh and aloes. The body was en- 
wrapped, with these spices, in clean linen, and carried to 
Joseph's garden, where it was placed in a new sepulchre, 
formed in a rock. And there followed, weeping, Mary 
Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, 
who beheld afar off the resting place of his beloved body. 



faOURS OT DEVOTION. 97 

While poverty is compelled to remain silent, the voice 
of the wealthy may still be heard. What could not be 
accomplished by the needy disciples of Christ, was easily 
performed by two rich men of the land. What the Ro- 
man governor would have denied to the tears of Mary, the 
mother of the crucified, he readily granted to a member of 
the high council of Jerusalem. The inspired writers, in- 
stead of despising all to whom God has given great riches, 
seemed to have particularly honored the memory of these 
men, who distinguished themselves by such a provident use 
of their wealth ; and to represent them as a counter-part 
to the youth, who enquired, what he might do to become 
more perfect, and went away sorrowful, because he was 
commanded to give up his worldly possessions. But our 
Saviour did not mean by this, that it was indispensibie for 
a man to give up all his riches for the benefit of the poor, 
before he could enter into the kingdom of heaven : he only 
wished to make manifest the many dangers and hindrances 
arising from wealth, rather than that virtue and piety 
could not be associated with it. David was one of the 
most powerful and wealthy princes of the world, and at 
the same time possessed a noble and godlike mind. Then 
was it not foolishness — an enthusiasm of devotion, for 
kings and rich men of olden times, to give up their pro- 
perty and live in voluntary exile, to be more certain of 
heaven I Is it not also censurable at present, for bigots 
and fanatics, full of contemptible pride and unrelenting 
hate, to contend that the enjoyment of riches is a sin, or 
that its possessor cannot be a worthy disciple of Christ, 



98 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

Every thing that we receive from God is a blessing, unless 
the sinfulness of our own hearts wantonly convert it into a 
curse. 

It is not the business of men, to enquire into the manner 
that an individual shall make use of his property, provided 
it is not prostituted to the injury of social and civil order. 
In the latter instance it would be the province of the law 
to prevent and punish such pernicious use. It is common for 
those who possess only limited fortunes, to censure the con- 
duct, generally, of the more wealthy, and to make them ob- 
jects of their ridicule, because they enjoy a little more dis- 
tinction than themselves. Every one judges of the other 
by his own arbitary opinion. The miser looks upon him as 
a prodigal, whose expenses are equivalent to his income ; 
the ignorant censure those who expend their wealth for 
promoting the arts or sciences, or encouraging useful insti- 
tutions ; while the epicure would consider it the very acme 
of foolishness, to appropriate his riches for any other object 
than that of savoury dishes. 

Every affluent man in the world, who is governed by the 
precepts of wisdom and Christianity, will consider his wealth 
as a loan from heaven ; and that he is an agent, for the 
time being, to attend to its proper distribution. Soon or late, 
it must all be left behind. Our possessions, to day, were 
those of some other person in a former age ; and when we 
have mouldered into dust, they will be claimed by genera- 
tions for centuries to come, who will know as little of us, as 
we knew of our predecessors. The riches of the earth re- 
main forever the same. They neither increase nor dimin- 
ish, but constantly changed from one to another — some 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 99 

receiving more and some less. Each one, however, has a 
share, which is given him for the promotion of his own, as 
well as the happiness of others. 

He, therefore, who administers only to his necessities, 
and with the residue of his wealth contributes to the happi- 
ness of those who are less fortunate, is a good and faithful 
servant of the Lord. Nor could he enjoy a more exalted 
pleasure, than, by making use of the wordly advantages he 
has received, in adding to the welfare of his fellow beings. 
What an extensive field for benevolence and philanthrophy is 
opened to him. By his unaffected kindness he seems to be- 
long to a higher rank of beings — the immediate representa- 
tive of God, appointed to scatter his blessings to all within 
his reach. 

The individual who endeavours, with an intention like 
this, to increase his wealth, is not deserving of censure. 
He is not to be placed in contrast with those, who heap up 
riches for the sake of its possession only, or that they may 
indulge in the pomp and luxury of the world. He is not 
like the sensualist, who rejoices in his wealth, because it 
will gratify his pride, or cause his fawning parasites to bow, 
with submissive reverence, at the footstool of his vanity. 

The true christian will estimate the advantages of his 
wealth, as a means afforded him, by the beneficence of the 
Almighty, to perfect the happiness of himself and others. 
Therefore, he takes no pride in his possessions, (which he 
rather considers as the property of God,) but asks himself 
how it may be disposed of so as most to benefit the world. In 
all ol his suffering fellow creatures, he sees legitimate objects 
for his charity, and thinks himself the debtor of the whole 



100 HOTJBS OF DEVOTION 

human race. He is truly the master of his own wealth* 
while others are its slaves. To the fool, therefore, either 
wealth or poverty may become a source of evil ; but the 
wise man will be contented in either. 

We sometimes observe an individual endeavouring to 
remedy the miseries of others without a corresponding 
means. He is unassisted by the rest of the world— his 
charitable designs receive not even a passing notice — and, 
with pain, he beholds the ignorance, selfishness and injus- 
tice of mankind. How exalted does the rich man appear, 
in an instance like this ; when he is ready to alleviate the 
suffering of the needy — to fulfil the benevolent impulses of 
his bosom— or to attend faithfully to the voice of wailing 
and distress. 

Unmitigated poverty makes us spiritless* He, who is 
destitute, is not esteemed as one of the common order of 
mankind. He is oppressed and insulted by the powerful. 
Nobody will listen to him. His advice is never asked or 
received. His sociability would be regarded as an indiscre- 
tion. He grows fearful — and he scarcely has the courage 
to insist upon his unquestionable rights. How enviable, in 
contrast, appears to us the man of wealth and power. To 
Joseph of Arimathea, Pilate freely delivered the body of 
the crucified Saviour ; so that it might receive a decent bu 
rial, while the prayers and supplications of Christ's disci- 
ples, and even the tears and entreaties of his mother, were 
all urged in vain. The poor, be they ever so virtuous, are 
unobserved. If they perform a praise worthy deed, they 
may receive a cold smile of approbation, or otherwise, hear 
it spoken of merely as their duty. No one enquires who it 



H61TKS 0£ DfcVOTtON* 101 

was or thinks him worthy of imitation. The eyes of man- 
kind, generally, like to rest upon the splendor and magnifi- 
cence of the world. It was only Christ who observed the 
poor widow casting her mite into the treasury, — the whole 
of her little property — and exclaimed that she had given 
more than the rich who contributed from their abun- 
dance. How unlike to this was the Pharisees, who went 
about the streets publicly distributing alms, knowing that 
they would receive the applause of the multitude, who judge 
chiefly from outward appearances. But the rich man, who 
exercises his benevolence in an unassuming manner, feels a 
far more enduring pleasure. The eyes of the world are 
upon him. He receives the meed of praise, and many en- 
deavour to imitate his exemplary deeds. In this way much 
is effected by his good example. Thus we behold the plea- 
sures of wealth. In the possession of a good man, it proves 
an inestimable blessing to society. 

We must not forget, however, that wealth has greater 
inducements to sensual gratifications than poverty. There- 
fore the man who is not inflated with high rank ; who is 
not overbearing with much power ; and who is temperate 
with an abundance, is worthy of our highest esteem and 
reverence : because, to acquire these virtues, he had to con- 
tend with greater temptations, than he who dwells in obscu- 
rity. Christian virtue in purple robes ; in the palace or on 
the throne, is not less estimable, as some would suppose, than 
that to be found in the abodes of misery ; indeed, it often 
appears more resplendant, because its acquisition is attend- 
ed with much more difficulty. Misfortune strengthens and 
elevates the mind, while its power and energy is diminished 

9 



102 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

by opulence. That individual is truly in possession of chris- 
tian piety who retains the purity of his character, when sur- 
rounded by the ease and blandishments of life ; who does 
not become tyrannical in his authority ; who defends the 
innocent from the wicked, and the just from the unjust ; 
who, while he is elevated by this rank over thousands, looks 
upon them all as his brethren ; provides 'for their wants, 
and preserves, sacred and inviolable, their rights. He claims 
an empire that is not of this world ; he gathers his treasures 
for something more permanent than the enjoyments of 
earth. 

Mankind, to be happy, must learn the secret of being 
poor in their wealth, or, like the widow who threw her mite 
into the treasury ; rich in their poverty. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 103 



THE RELIGION OF CHILDHOOD. 

First Reflection. 

There is much difference of opinion among men, as to 
the propriety of instilling religious ideas into the minds of 
children, before their judgement has been matured, or they 
are capable of judging for themselves. We often hear it 
made the subject of dispute in companies ; and find chris- 
tian parents divided upon this subject, when they are united 
upon every other. They are undecided as to the period 
when their religious instruction should commence, or the 
manner that it can be the most profitably taught at so ten- 
der an age. 

Childhood and religion, to the reflecting mind, are both 
equally solemn and important considerations ; and we can- 
not think too earnestly about their judicious combination. 
There are upright, and even pious men, who think they 
cannot warn us too faithfully against the practice of making 
children acquainted, at an early age, with the maxims and 
truths of religion. They point out, what they are pleased 
to term, the innumerable dangers and evil consequences aris- 
ing from such a source. To what, they enquire, is owing 
the present fearful decline of Christianity ? Why is it so 
utterly neglected by young people ? From whence comes 
their aversion or indifference to public worship ? Why are 
they mockers of the godly, and deem them either weak- 



104 KOTJRS OF DEVOTION. 

minded or hypocritical ? The mystery is solved in their es- 
timation by answering that religious ideas were instilled in- 
to their minds before they were capable of comprehending 
them : that they thereby received unworthy or false opin- 
ions of the excellence of God, and of the truth of his re- 
vealed word : that the prayers which they were taught to 
repeat, were merely a task for the memory, about which 
the heart knew nothing ; and consequently that they will 
look upon public or private worship as an idle ceremony, 
which is only observed for the sake of decenc}- or custom ; 
a work of the lips in which the feelings are not engaged. 

Every day's experience attests the truth of what we have 
said. On the other hand, credit is due to those parents who 
avoid an error like this, under the conviction that the im- 
pressions of our childhood are infinitely more lasting than 
those of later years. 

Where there are two extremes there is always a medium 
that will be chosen by the judicious few. Our Saviour says, 
" suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them 
not." Then, why should we withhold them from a com- 
munion with their invisible Father ? Why shall we inter- 
vene between them and their God -.1 or entirely conceal his 
grandeur and glory from their view on account of their 
limited comprehension ? Are we so enlightened — are our 
minds so capacious, that we can behold in a single glance, 
all the glorious attributes and perfections of the deity ? If 
so, then why are we so selfish as to prevent little children 
from approaching the presence of their eternal ruler and 
preserver? While we sink into the dust, and worship be- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 105 

fore the infinite Jehovah, let them also cry, Abba, Father ! 
Our Saviour says : " whoso shall offend one of these little 
ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a mill- 
stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drown- 
ed in the depths of the sea." Let every one attend, faithful- 
ly, to this sacred injunction, and then they will not, either 
by evil example or improper instruction, estrange their minds 
from the contemplation of God. 

This is the conduct to be pursued by christian parents in 
moulding the characters of their offspring. Nor is it less 
important to individuals in any other situation of life. We 
are all responsible to the Supreme Judge of the world for 
the example we afford to others. No man stands entirely 
alone in the world ; we are all more or less connected to- 
gether, as members of the same great family ; therefore our 
actions have a corresponding influence upon each other. 

What is the religion of childhood ? Do we not observe 
it in the smile of the innocent babe ? Can we not trace it 
in the love of children to their parents ? in their first awak- 
ened feelings of respect and veneration, even though they 
know nothing of the mysteries of creation — or can compre- 
hend but little of the beneficence of a bountiful creator 1 
These are the almost hidden germs, which, if properly nour- 
ished, will soon expand with renovated life, and plentifully 
bring forth the fruits of devotion. 

If religion has not grown up with us from childhood, it 
cannot have the same beneficial influence upon our charac- 
ters. In this way it becomes indissolubly rivited upon the 
heart, and bears us up in all the difficulties of life. It soothes; 



106 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

us in the hour of affliction, and teaches us to look with 
calmness upon our ruined and blasted hopes. It will even 
pluck the suicidal dagger from our grasp, when we, in a 
moment of phrenzy and despair, but little heed the shame 
or ignominy that may settle upon our reputation. These 
are the good effects of religious instructions. Another very 
important reason why children should be instructed at an 
early age in those sacred principles, is, that it guards and 
protects them in after years from the inroads of doubt and 
skepticism. What the christian is taught by revelation — 
what the wise man learns by reflection and research — in 
short, all the practical and useful lessons of life should be 
explained to us, in some degree, at our entrance upon the 
pathway of existence. Then, after our judgement is ma- 
tured, we will find a confirmation of those important truths. 
We will be prepared to resist the sophistry of the w r orldly 
wise. Nothing can shake our convictions of the existence 
of a God, or of the immortality of our souls ; because, 
without these, life would appear to us a mystery — religion 
a phantom, and the whole universe a contradiction of itself. 
The mind must be deeply imbued in religious principles 
at an early age, or its acquisition of them, in after years, is 
rendered difficult and oftentimes uncertain. It will become 
entangled in the mazes ot doubt, and be obliged to combat 
with a thousand illusions and prejudices. Sometimes it is 
enfeebled in the pursuit, and looses its vigor, or sinks into 
utter hopelesness and despondency. In this situation we 
madly plunge ourselves into the whirlpool of passion and 
lust, while sensuality and debauchery are the only occu- 
pants of our thought, and we go through the world as de- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 107 

serted and unpitied beings. These are indeed the lamenta. 
ble consequences of an early neglect of religious instruc- 
tions, by which the mind would be prepared to resist the 
vice and pollution of the world. 

Take away religion, and you take away the foundation 
of much that is noble and exalted in man. He who pos- 
sesses it, looks upon the world with an increase of admira- 
tion — he feels himself glowing with renovated love to his 
fellow creatures— he acknowledges the invisible and all per- 
vading power of the eternal ; he looks upon the moon and 
the stars that are glittering in the blue chambers of the hea- 
vens, and regards them as the evidences of a better and 
brighter world. Religion throws a brilliancy upon the 
morning of life ; it embellishes the gay and fanciful dreams 
of childhood ; and it steals, like a refreshing dew, upon the 
hearts of the young and innocent, softening their feelings 
and affections, without their knowing from whence it 
proceeds. Why then should we deprive them of this 
happiness ? Why take from them these sources of earth- 
ly consolation? Why repress or blight those god-like 
energies of the soul, that will arouse them to an antici- 
pation of eternal life? No ; let us rather picture to them 
the great and exalted character of Jesus Christ, that they 
may endeavour to imitate the glorious attributes and per- 
fections of him who exclaimed, in the infinitude of his 
love, " suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid 
them not." 

Let us not neglect his commands. Let us consecrate 
them to him in whose name they were baptized, before they 
could understand the sublimity of his nature, or be made 



108 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

acquainted with the blessings he achieved for us on earth. 
Let us illumine their infant minds with the light of eternal 
truth, and in time they will be able to look abroad and ex- 
ultingly behold and appreciate the splendor and magnifi- 
cence of the deity. 



HOURS OP DEVOTION. 109 



THE RELIGION OF CHILDHOOD. 

Second Reflection, 

Once more I return to the contemplation of childhood— 
those blissful and innocent moments of our existence. By 
religion, the heart is already chastened — the passions 
checked in their course, and piety reigns triumphant 
through all the changes and temptations of life. 

In vain may you attempt to keep a child in ignorance of 
its maker. It feels his immediate presence — it questions 
you about the ruler of heaven and earth — it asks you who 
has caused the sun and moon and stars to shine — who 
launches forth the livid and glaring lightnings from the 
gloomy clouds — who makes the awful and terrific thunder 
to roll and mutter over our heads. Then, why will you 
conceal from it the existence of a God, or of his only be- 
gotten Son ? It is all in vain. Your greatest precautions 
will avail you nothing. It will hear the name of its Crea- 
tor lisped by its playmates, or pronounced among strangers, 
and thus uninstructed, it is in danger of forming erroneous 
or unworthy opinions. From the father and mother, there- 
fore, the child should first learn the existence of a supreme 
and overruling power. They alone must mould its charac- 
ter, and instil into its mind such knowledge as is best suited 
to its age and capacity. Let it be taught that God is the 
father of us all—that, though invisible, he is every 



110 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

where present — that without him, no grass could grow, 
nor fruits ripen, nor flowers bloom — that without him no- 
thing could have existence. These lessons it will not easily 
forget, and its love for you will be partly transferred to the 
great friend and provider of the universe. 

When the germs of religion are implanted in the mind 
of a child, its education is less difficult. You may forbid 
it doing any wrong ; but it is only the recollection of an 
omniscient being that can restrain its evil thoughts. You 
may punish its disobedience to your commands ; but other 
omissions must be dealt with by conscience alone. 

It is for the parents to unlock the heart of a child, that 
a spirit of christian zeal may have entrance. For this 
purpose something more is required than a few formal pre- 
cepts. Your advice may be remembered, but its good re- 
sults will not be made manifest in its actions. Your exem- 
plary conduct is worth more than all your heartless and 
measured instructions. Tell your children no falsehoods 
lest they might imitate your example. Use them with 
kindness and respect, and they will learn to conduct them- 
selves in like manner to others. Touch not the property 
of your neighbors, if you would not contaminate their 
minds ; and remember that to you may be traced their 
faults and imperfections ; that their virtuous and ami- 
able conduct, is nothing more nor less than a reflection of 
yourselves. Do not show yourselves indifferent to public 
worship, nor careless and thoughtless in your private de- 
votions. Let your prayers be marked with the deepest 
reverence and solemnity. Although your children cannot 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. Ill 

unite in thanksgivings with you, yet these external marks 
of homage and respect, will not be without a good result. 

When a child has formed a rational idea of the love and 
power of the Deity, then let it be instructed to pray ; not 
however, in a studied or written form, but with the zeal 
and spirit of devotion. The heart knows nothing of what 
is only repeated from memory. It becomes a habit, mark- 
ed with the utmost indifference, and is little less than a 
complete profanation of all religion. 

The christian mother will take her child occasionally 
into solitude. There she will tell it in the simple language 
of her heart, how many blessings it has and may still ex- 
pect to receive, from the hands of a beneficent creator* 
She will kneel down in prayer, and learn it to follow her 
example, and to unite in her supplications ; while the Om- 
nipotent looks down and blesses them both. When time 
sweeps on, and she is trembling with age or infirmity ; thus 
will her dutiful children, in remembrance of her precepts, 
implore for her, in like manner, the benedictions of the 
most High. 

The devotion of children must be voluntary. Every 
constraint destroys the efficacy of worship. Nor should 
they be compelled to go at too early an age to church. 
Much injury has been done in this way, by pious and zeal- 
ous parents. It is time enough to usher them into the 
temple of holiness, when they can comprehend the spirit 
and nature of religious exercises ; when they will not be 
likely to feel an indifference on account of the often re- 
peated custom. Beware of all impressions that may tend 



112 HOtJfcS OP DEVOTXOff* 

to excite their disgust. It is not the altar alone that hal- 
lows and purifies the heart ; therefore, they should become 
worshippers of God, before they have passed the threshold 
of a church. Point out to them the deceit and hypocrisy 
of professing christians, who pray one moment and slander 
their neighbor the next, in order that they may avoid a 
similar error themselves. When assembled at the grave 
of a friend or acquaintance, let them know that while the 
body has gone down to mingle with the dust, there is an 
immortal spirit destined to live through all eternity. Let 
these ideas, however imperfect they may be at first, grow 
up with the child, and become firmly rooted in its mind. 
These instructions, however, should be in accordance with 
ita years. When it can weep under the blood stained ban- 
ner of Christ, with tears of love and gratitude ; when it 
can feel a thrill of joy, even in the thought of being called 
one of his disciples ; then make it acquainted with his suf- 
ferings, and the magnitude of the sacrifice he made for a 
sinful and wicked world. Thus, almost unconsciously, its 
intellectual character will be improved, and religion made 
the anchor of its hope, and the source of its peace and hap- 
piness, in the days of manhood and old age. 

Do not suffer the religion of your children to become a 
mere shadow of the feelings. Do not deceive their imagi- 
nations, and be content with moving them to tears by some 
affecting narration. Such sensibility, however amiable it 
may appear, cannot from its nature, be of long duration. 
The ebullition of pious feelings are only as the buds and 
blossoms, and not the golden founts of religion. It is not 



HOURS OF DEVOTIOK. 113 

by listening to the word of Christ, but by attending faith- 
fully to his precepts, that constitutes the true christian. 
He who will not perform works meet for repentance — he 
who is not meek, humble, and contrite in heart — he who 
is unwilling to sacrifice himself for the welfare of his 
brethren, as did the Saviour of the world, has not yet pre- 
pared himself for the enjoyments of heaven. 

Fathers, mothers and christian parents ! consecrate to 
the living and eternal father, the tender and beloved chil- 
dren which he has entrusted to your care." Infuse into 
their infant minds a spirit of pious and holy zeal, that they 
may receive strength and power to contend and struggle 
with every misfortune of life. And if death compels you 
to a separation for a short time on earth, you will have the 
blessed hope of being again united with them hereafter. 
When you are summoned before the judgment seat of God, 
you can say, here are the little ones which thou hast given 
us, They have indeed,, travelled with you the same path- 
way to eternity. They have been animated by the same 
love and faith in life ; and they have been made glad with 
the same triumphant hope in death. Oh, how sweet is the 
voice of revelation ? Like distant music it steals into the 
soul, and ravishes it with ineffable transport and beauty. 



10 



114 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



THE NEWLY MARRIED. 

How often with admiration and delight, have I perused 
the early history of mankind, as it has been given us by 
Moses. The same delightful harmony and order that per- 
vaded the works of nature then, still continues to exist. 
Man, too, who was formed out of the dust of the earth ; 
and woman, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, still 
remains the same. 

The Lord said, it is not good that man should be alone. 
Solitude destroys every enjoyment. A pleasure which we 
cannot divide with others, is not worthy of the name ; and 
an affliction which an amiable wife mutually shares with 
us is infinitely lighter. 

The union of persons in a state of matrimony, is the 
decree of an all-wise creator. It is a custom peculiar, 
even to the most heathenish and unenlightened people of 
the earth. But all men are not in a condition to enjoy 
this happiness. It may be prudent for them to continue 
in a state of celibacy. So it happened with the apostles, 
who remained unmarried ; not that they thought matri- 
mony an evil, but because they could see little else than 
persecution in store for them, while they, without a rest- 
ing place or a country, were determined at every sacrifice, 
to spread the truths of the gospel. Therefore, they re- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 115 

commended to others, who had undertaken the accomplish- 
ment of the same holy designs, to follow their example. 

A matrimonial alliance is the most sacred of all others, 
and ought to be the most productive of human happiness. 
Other connexions may be broken off. Friendships may 
be severed in a thousand different ways ; but the tie which 
unites man and wife, forever remains unaltered. They are 
the same to each other in adversity as prosperity ; they 
share alike the sunshine and tempests of life. Although 
the sympathy of the world may have been entirely with- 
drawn from them, still they are happy in the existence of 
each other. 

In the married life we have comfort in distress, advice 
in difficulties, attention in sickness, and consolation in the 
hour of death. But the man who stands alone in society : 
who has no partner in his joys, or companion in his suffer- 
ings, how miserable must be his situation. Who pities him 
when he is misjudged, or misrepresented by the world ? 
Who watches him when death is stealing upon him ? or 
weeps over his lonely grave ? Alas ! he is entirely de= 
serted ; he is a stranger among men. 

Many are the sorrows of life ; but labor and hardships 
are rendered lighter by conjugal love. Our efforts have 
then a direct object. We care not for the toils of the day, 
because it adds to the enjoyment of our family. Parents 
also, find new and unexpected delights in the existence of 
their offspring. A thousand joyful emotions swell in their 
bosoms, of which no one, save a father or mother, can 
ever experience. 



116 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

Matrimony not only increases our happiness in this way, 
but it also inclines us to a greater degree of piety. Our 
faults not only affect ourselves, but those too, who have 
united their destinies with us. This leads us to a greater 
degree of caution. He who would ruin an innocent wife 
and children, by his wickedness and profligacy, is a mon- 
ster of the most hideous kind. A single man is often in- 
different about his conduct — sometimes guilty of the gros- 
sest immoralities, because there are none to whom he is 
accountable. The actions of the married on the contrary, 
are open to the inspection of each other. If either of them 
do any wrong, it will be observed, and the error may be 
corrected by a little friendly admonition. In this way the 
matrimonial life sets a limit to our evil propensities, and 
renders the dominion of virtue easy and pleasant. But 
unhappily, such is not the case in every instance. How 
many have brought misery upon themselves for a whole 
life, by pledging their hand at the altar, through some 
blind and passionate inclination, or perhaps an expectation 
of wealth, which is never to be realized. If, however, a 
matrimonial alliance is thus concluded, it remains in some 
degree optional with the parties, whether or not their 
whole existence shall be a continued scene of disappoint- 
ment or disgust. 

The good conduct of married people at the commence- 
ment of their career, is of the utmost importance. Their 
contentment and happiness depends entirely upon their mu- 
tual respect for each other. Whatever behaviour they 
may adopt at first, is likely to give a bias to their habits 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 117 

ever after. They should therefore, be extremely cautious 
in their deportment. If they neglect this they will always 
repent of their indifference. They may have known each 
other for years, without sufficiently understanding their 
respective characters. When they are brought together 
as man and wife, divested of all artifice and dissimulation , 
they are surprised to find that their feelings, opinions and 
inclinations are widely different. There are a hundred un- 
welcome peculiarities of temper and disposition, which 
they did not expect to discover. Hence they accuse each 
other of deception, because they were satisfied with a con- 
fused idea of each other's supposed excellence, which upon 
a closer intimacy, they have found to be without founda- 
tion. For this reason, it is not uncommon to find even 
good and well disposed persons, less happy in the early 
part of their matrimonial life than after a lapse of years, 
when they have learned to understand and know each other 
better. 

Where two persons have united themselves together for 
a whole life, there ought not to be any pride or obstinacy, 
but a mutual respect and indulgence of each other. The 
husband should rule by kindness and persuasion— he should 
endeavor, imperceptibly, to lead his wife to the faithful 
performance of her duties, without assuming an air of in- 
solent authority. She on the other hand, should not desire 
to have any other influence, than what she can attain by 
gentleness and love — the^ most powerful weapons of her 
sex. Beware of all dissentions. It is better to suffer wrong 
than to commit it yourself. Petty quarrels, abusive words, 
10* 



118 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

severe reproaches, and a disposition to represent faults in 
all their enormity, will eventually tend to incorporate with 
the mind, a spirit of enmity and bitterness which nothing 
can eradicate. 

The newly ma*Tied, if they would enjoy unanimity, must 
establish it as a governing and inviolable rule, not to con- 
ceal from one another any secrets. Even their minutest 
thoughts should be reciprocally known. Otherwise, mis- 
understanding and distrust will be the consequence. It is 
better to disclose the most trifling error, however painful 
it may be, than to envelope it in doubt and mystery. As 
there is nothing which ought not to be equally the concern 
of both, it should be their earnest endeavor to enjoy each 
other's confidence; and then no evil designed persons can 
create dissensions between them. When there is an at- 
tempt to hide a fault, one from the other, there is already a 
dissimilarity of feelings, which will sooner or later estrange 
their affections. Even in jest, they ought not to indulge in 
any light or trivial conduct, which is at variance with the 
character they have assumed. Let them attend faithfully 
to these duties, and they will find that matrimony is as a 
golden tie, locking their hearts together beyond the power 
of any thing but death to separate. 

And finally, the surest foundation of connubial happiness 
— the most important of all other considerations, is reli- 
gion. The husband who is destitute of this — who never 
makes a Deity the subject of his meditations, is more like- 
ly to run into the sins of vice and immorality ; he would 
be more likely ^abandon, or drive his family into misery 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 119 

and despair. The wife also, whose heart is not warmed 
with religious emotions, is divested of one of her most in- 
estimable charms, and is less capable of soothing the rug- 
ged sorrows of her husband. That woman, whose soul is 
not consecrated with the indwelling of a God, is not sus- 
ceptible of those high perfections, which are so peculiarly 
the ornaments of her sex. Newly married people, if they 
prize their future happiness, should never regard this sub- 
ject with indifference. If in one, religious feelings are ex- 
tinct, the other may renew them by gentle reproofs and 
exhortations. Furnish at all times, an example of piety, 
and such will be the effect of habit, that in course of time, 
one will be imperceptibly led to adopt the sentiments and 
principles of the other, and at the same time think them 
the result of his ow T n convictions. Only in this way can the 
happiness of wedlock be so immutably established, as to 
mitigate the evils incident to human life. 

You who have united your destinies upon the altar, re- 
member that you stand pledged to comfort and support each 
other in every extremity. As you journey on from time 
to eternity, your days of anguish will come, and without 
the same love, the same faith, and the same hope of eter- 
nal happiness, you cannot expect to triumph over your 
calamities* 



120 H0T7B.S OF DEVOTION. 



MATRIMONY. 

First Reflection. 

We have already spoken of the sacredness of a matri- 
monial alliance. None are more important or venerable. 
It was sanctioned by the Deity himself. In the records of 
Moses, we are told of the Almighty creating for man in 
his solitude, a help-mate. There seems indeed, to be an 
irresistable impulse implanted in the human breast, which 
inclines us to lavish our affections upon each other. Guid- 
ed by this holy and unchangable law of our nature, we see 
the woman in her weakness, relying upon the strength and 
power of the man for protection, while he in turn, is sooth- 
ed and recompensed by her more amiable aud gentle quali- 
ties. 

The happiness of the husband and wife is mutually de- 
rived from each other. They partake alike of joy and 
sorrow ; glory and ignominy ; wealth and poverty. They 
are the same to each other in all the circumstances of life. 
The misfortune of one, is the misfortune of the other. 
Nothing but the grave can sever their connexion. Even 
the bonds which unite brothers and sisters, or parents and 
children, are far less enduring. The tender youth has 
grown into manhood. He is now contending with the dif- 
ficulties of the world. He receives no longer the protee- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. I2l 

tion of a father or mother. The old are sinking into the 
grave around him. His only solace is the wife of his bo- 
som. She, perhaps, has fled from her parental roof, willing 
to sacrifice every thing for his sake, and now clings fondly 
to him for protection and support. She, therefore, is his 
chief delight, and by her tenderness and love, can sweeten 
his toil and scatter sunshine in the pathway of his exist- 
ence. 

From matrimony may proceed either the greatest happi- 
ness or the greatest misery. Family peace makes us con- 
tented ; domestic discord dooms us to continual wretched- 
ness. The marriage vow dates a new era in the life of man. 
He stands no longer alone upon the earth. His existence is 
entwined with that of another. The present becomes more 
interesting, the past more instructive, and the future more 
important. 

While it is admitted that matrimony is a source of public 
as well as private happiness, we must regret the existence 
of those luxurious and pernicious habits, which counteract 
a disposition to enter into the marriage state, and contribute 
to the advancement of vice and immorality. The pride and 
splendor which prevail at present among the higher classes 
and more particularly in our principal cities ; the sensual 
enjoyments which they are unwilling to abandon ; the fri- 
volous amusements and dissipation to which the females 
are accustomed ; all tend, for obvious reasons, to lessen the 
number of matrimonial alliances. These are the evils of 
luxury. It destroys the peace of families ; it roots out the 
finest impulses of our nature ; it blasts our noblest designs 
and wishes, and leaves us to writhe beneath the scorpion 



122 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

stings of unnatural lusts, and uncontrolled passions. It 
seperates man from man. It dissolves the union of a peo- 
ple, and deadens every equitable or patriotic feeling. Lux- 
ury is a murderer of connubial happiness, and as such, it 
will receive the unqualified hatred or contempt of every true 
christian ; as such, it will be regarded by all wise men of 
every age and clime, as a bitter and destroying curse. 

Next to this, in the catalogue of evils, may be enumerat- 
ed the carelessness or inattention of the married man, who 
thereby contemptuously trifles with the importance of his 
situation, and prepares himself for a life of misery and pain. 
He should learn that by matrimony he will have advanta- 
ges before unknown to him ; that by it, his moral and in- 
tellectual nature will be rendered more perfect. This, how- 
ever, cannot be effected without a fixed determination, on 
the part of the husband and wife, to divest themselves of 
every frailty that may be offensive to each other. In con- 
cluding this important union, not so much regard should be 
had to each other's particular virtues, as the imperfections 
which may be the result either of habit, or an erroneous 
education. The latter is a greater source of evil than the 
former is of good. We sometimes observe a man and wife 
neither of whom can boast of any very remarkable good 
qualities, and yet they are not unhappy, because their mu- 
tual intercourse is not embittered by the inequalities of tem- 
per and disposition, peculiar to many others. On the con- 
trary, there are many married people, who, by an affectation 
of virtue, have been elevated to a preeminent rank in society, 
while at the same time, their imbecilities, which can only 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 125 

be learned by a close intimacy with them, entirely destroys 
their domestic happiness. 

Not unfrequently, our fondness for an individual prevents 
us from observing his defects, while he in turn, if he is am- 
bitious to win our admiration, will carefully conceal all his 
infirmities. 

If our affection for a beloved object is subject to the con- 
trol of turbulent passions, or a sheer, calculating policy, the 
judgment will remain shackled, and our choice in such 
cases, will oftentimes be blindly and foolishly made. Re- 
gret will then be in vain. We have looked only at the 
bright hues of the picture ; but it is too late to recal our 
error. Now that we have won the object of our pursuit, 
our love, admiration, or whatever else it may be termed, 
has changed into hatred and disgust. 

A thonghtlessness in selecting the partner of your bosom, 
is a great indiscretion, inasmuch as it is foolishly trifling 
with your happiness for a whole life. Unless you are in- 
different about your future welfare, you will observe the 
utmost precaution in a matter of so much moment. You 
may moderate the violence of your desires by prudence. 
You need conclude no alliance, unless you find that the ob- 
ject of your affections is worthy of you. Before you esti- 
mate too highly the good qualities, learn to examine more 
attentively the imperfections of your choice. We have 
already said that matrimonial happiness is not so much in- 
creased by the former, as it is diminished by the latter. 

With what sordid motives do parents sometimes compel 
their children to enter into the married life ; and that too, 
with those whom they may have hitherto regarded with 



i24 H0UI18 OF DEVOTION. 

cold indifference or even disgust. Mutual affection is seldom 
made the subject of inquiry. It is enough to know that 
their wealth or power will be increased, and for that they 
are ready to make every sacrifice. They heed not the grief 
or sorrow that they bring upon their devoted offspring. 
They little think of the tears of anguish that they 
cause to flow. Sooner than be disconcerted in their am- 
bitious schemes, they will doom them to unmitigated wretch- 
edness — to all the gnawing agonies of despair. Remember, 
there is an eternal and all-seeing God who is watching over 
you ! He hears the groans which you are extorting by 
your cruelty. You may accomplish your designs, but you 
will not escape the dread retribution of punishment. When 
you are stretched upon the bed of death, you will not for- 
get the wrongs you have inflicted upon those who should be 
dearer to you than all the world beside ; and these reflec- 
tions will torment you like so many fiends, until the last 
pulses of life have ceased. 

In no instance have parents a greater responsibility than 
in the disposal of their children in marriage. At this age 
they only expect advice — they do not wash to be driven in- 
to measures which their own judgment or feelings will not 
sanction. It should be remembered that their happiness is 
at stake for life, and this should weigh down all petty or 
trivial objections of the parents. Yet it is their unquestion- 
able duty to refuse their consent to the marriage of a son 
or daughter, which they think might terminate in misery or 
disgrace. Such engagements are generally entered into, 
when the mind is controlled by the phrenzy of youthful pas- 
sion, w 7 hen the recklessness of love hurries them on to their 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 125 

own destruction— when their knowlege of men and things 
has not yet arrived at maturity. Here shall the more ex* 
perienced parents endeavour to curb the bold impetuosity 
of their children, by tender entreaties and reproofs, and 
show them the false glare of unwonted love that is burning 
within them. They are, alike responsible to their God, 
for compelling them to a matrimonial connexion through a 
motive of pride or selfishness, as for an inconsiderate ap- 
proval of it, when it is entirely obvious that the most dis- 
astrous consequences will be the result. 

The choice of a husband or wife, therefore, is of infinite 
importance. And yet, with what indifference is it regard- 
ed. If there was greater precaution— if it was looked 
upon with that degree of solemnity to which it is entitled, 
how many repentant tears would cease to flow — how many 
wailings and lamentations would subside — how many a 
withered form would bloom with new life and vigor — how 
many fearful and maddening resolutions would be avoided. 

Look round upon the world, and observe how compara- 
tively few are the number of married people, who, by their 
unalterable love and attachment, are prepared to look with 
calmness upon the frowns of fate ; and though they might 
be deprived of the smiles or friendship of the world, yet 
remain happy in the existence of each other. On the other 
hand, how many are there whose lives become a burthen 
— who seldom terminate a day without peevishness or ill- 
humour — who are always longing for a better lot ; whose 
discord is displeasing and painful to their children, who 
11 



126 HCWRS OF DEVOTION. 

amy eventually be inclined to imitate their unhallowed ex- 
ample, 

And what is the cause of these extended evils I Why 
is the husband or wife not happy in the midst of the do- 
mestic circle? Why is it that a secret worm, which is 
concealed because it cannot be removed, is eating away 
and destroying the welfare of so many families? Let ex- 
perience answer- 



fiOUKS OF DEVOTION. 127 



STEP PARENTS. 

On that day of terror and persecution, when Christ was 
suspended from the cross, and his wounds were streaming 
with blood, he saw around him many of his dearest kindred 
and friends, who were unwilling to separate from him even 
in the hour of death. Among them was his weeping 
mother, whom he must now leave behind. He turned to 
John, his disciple, whom he tenderly loved, and said, " Be- 
hold thy mother ;" and to her, " Woman, behold thy son." 
Henceforth he was to her as a dutiful child. He protected 
her, provided for her wants, and shared with her his 
dwelling. 

This simple event awakens many sober and profitable 
reflections in the minds of christian parents. It reminds 
them of the agony they must undergo, when the hand of 
death is laid upon them, and they are obliged to separate 
from their children. Hearts that are thus united, cannot 
easily be severed. Hear the mother upon her dying couch, 
as she gazes for the last time upon her tender offspring : 
" To whom must I now consign you ? Who will take care 
of, and provide for you as I have done ? Upon whose breast 
will you now weep away your grief? or who will comfort 
you in your troubles and afflictions ?" But we trust that 
her fears are unnecessary. Who is there upon earth who 
would not assist the deserted orphan ; and more especially 



128 HOURS OF DEVOTION, 

when he earns for himself such a glorious title by becom- 
ing its protector 1 It is a truth deeply to be regretted, that 
a child is often the most miserable under the care of a step 
father or step-mother. In all languages these names are 
proverbial to express something that is detestable. Then 
it should be the duty of those, who have assumed the ap- 
pellation, to conduct themselves in such a manner as not to 
deserve the odium which is generally cast upon them* 

But whence arises this apathy ; this unkindness, which 
is so often manifested by step-parents towards the children 
of others, which they must necessarily adopt ? It is easily 
explained. Let us observe for a moment, a family where- 
in this evil prevails. We will find it is owing to the in- 
creased love which the father or mother very naturally 
feels for his or her own immediate offspring. . Heretofore, 
the son or daughter-in-law may have received the utmost 
kindness and attention ; but suddenly this affection ceases, 
and it is lavished upon one of their own descendants, which 
seems to be the exclusive object of their care. There is 
nothing left undone to render it happy. They love to see 
it caressed and flattered by others. But if the step-child 
is admired for its amiable and agreeable qualities, then 
their envy, hatred and jealousy are excited. There is a 
wonderful deterioration of its supposed excellencies ; and 
the faults which they hitherto endeavoured to forget or 
amend, have now become insufferable. They see in every 
little offence, a great crime ; in every action, a secret or 
malicious design ,* in every tear, deceit, hypocrisy, and 
wickedness. Thus, by the imprudence of a parent, who 



HOURS OF DEVOTION* 129 

may be estimable in every other respect, the peace of a 
family is forever broken up and destroyed. 

Let us trace the cause of these melancholy results. Do 
they appear at once in all their enormity ; or are they the 
growth of years 1 In the first place, we find that parental 
love is chilled, and then it degenerates into hatred and per- 
secution. Tenderness for the step-child is sensibly dimin- 
ished, indifference follows, and in their turn, malevolence, 
injustice and cruelty. Consequently, all domestic happi- 
ness is at an end. Discord arises between the husband and 
wife. The former sees the child of his bosom iniquitously 
neglected or despised by the latter ; or the mother is com- 
pelled to notice without a murmur, the inhumanity which 
her offspring, of a former marriage, are obliged to endure. 
At first they kindly remonstrate with each other ; and 
then a quarrel ensues, which terminates in unceasing strife 
and contention. Relatives engage in the dispute. Older 
brothers and sisters are also enlisted in the contest ; and 
they sometimes uphold the caprice of their parents and 
imitate their example, until their own hearts are alike 
wicked and corrupted. 

Every casualty that may happen to a child, will sooner 
or later pass away unremembered ; but the cruelty which 
is inflicted upon it in its helplessness, will never be forgot- 
ten ; it will remain deeply engraven upon its heart, even 
to the latest period of existence. 

If God has entrusted to thy care an orphan, be unto it 
what the worthy disciple was unto the mother of Christ. 
Then thou hast given an evidence that thou art guided by 
11* 



130 HOURS OF DEVOTION* 

the wisdom and goodness of God ; that thou art not to be 
numbered with those who so wantonly abuse their parental 
authority. If thou hast united thyself at the altar to one 
whose children require thy friendly attention, remember 
the solemn promise thou hast made, to atone as far as pos- 
sible, for the irreparable loss they have sustained. Be un- 
to them in reality, a kind and benevolent parent. 

Supposing the angel of death should summon thee away? 
and thou hast children who must fail into the hands of 
strangers ? Wouldest thou not pray to the Almighty to 
shield them from cruelty and oppression ? Then, why wilt 
thou treat thy step-child with so much scorn and neglect 1 
Do not forget that the eye of the omnipotent is upon thee 
— that he sees all thy actions, both good and evil. Go, 
therefore, and fold in thy embrace the weeping and wrong- 
ed orphan, that it may have confidence in thy affection. 
Look with indulgence upon its faults, which may have 
been the result of thy own unkindness. All the care 
thou canst bestow upon it, will not repair its inconsol- 
able loss. Be thy love ever so pure, it cannot gush from 
the same deep and hallowed source, as did that of the de- 
ceased father or mother. 

Is it impossible for the wife to conceal the fondness 
which she may feel for her own, in preference to her step- 
children ? She should at least, make every effort to ac- 
complish it. She will, thereby, not only secure the re- 
spect, but the higher love and admiration of her husband. 
The child in its infancy has but few objects to claim its 
attention, and every smile or frown of its parents is closely 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 131 

noted, and interpreted into an omen of esteem or dislike. 
Excite their jealousy by the thoughtless caresses of their 
more favoured rivals, and you turn the whole current of 
their affections into bitterness. 

When step-children, whom you have nursed with care 
and fidelity, have grown into maturity, and carefully ap- 
preciate your kindness to them in early years, then will 
they pour out their souls in love and gratitude. And it is 
not unfrequently the case that they are more grateful to 
their foster-parents, than their immediate descendants. 
What the latter regard only as parental duty, the former 
are willing to acknowledge as disinterested kindness, and 
their grateful hearts makes a rich return of all the good 
they have heretofore received. 

Christian parents ! if you have assumed the title of step- 
father or mother, let it be your constant and most earnest 
endeavour, to make it one that will be venerated, not only 
by your children, but all with whom you are associated ! 
Do not forget your duties to the deceased, whose offspring 
may be under your control, and remember that God is con- 
tinually watching over you. In the hour of death, you 
will be consoled by those whom you made happy through 
life — they will kneel at your grave in their loneliness and 
sorrow, and offer up their prayers for your eternal beati- 
tude. 



132 HOURS OF DEVOTION, 



MATRIMONY. 

Second Reflection. 

Hard, indeed, in this life, may be the fate of man, yet 
there is no misfortune — no burthen so great, but friendship 
has the power to sooth his sorrows. Without sympathy, 
pain is more poignant ; and pleasure is diminished, when we 
participate in it alone. 

Matrimony is the holiest, and most enduring bond of 
friendship, consecrated alike, by nature and religion. A 
change of circumstances; difference of opinions ; a con- 
flicting interest ; an inequality of rank or wealth ; a change 
of residence ; a long absence ; a thousand things, in short, 
may lessen the confidence and respect of friends and asso- 
ciates, or render the heart cold and indifferent ; but man 
and wife forever remain the same; inseparable; undivi- 
ded ; actuated by the same motives, and sharing in the same 
joy or misery. Their union can only be severed by the un- 
relenting hand of death, whose blighting and withering 
touch destroys all earthly ties. Accustomed, as they have 
been, to live continually in each other's presence, they 
would otherwise be unhappy ; and when they are surround- 
ed by a prattling and cheerful offspring, who witness with 
delight, their devotion and love to each other, there seems 
to be a new and uncontrollable sympathy that links their 
hearts and affections still more closely together. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 133 

Who protects the timid and unresisting wife with the 
same firmness and resolution as the husband, who, for her 
sake, gives forth in his strength, and manfully contends 
with the billows and storms of life? Who, but the faithful 
husband, regards her with the same pure and undiminished 
love, when the bloom has departed from her cheeks ? or 
who places a higher estimate upon her still existing virtue 
and gentleness? And who rewards him for his anxieties, 
his troubles, his sacrifices, with the same fondness and zeal 
as the amiable wife, when she looks upon him as her only true 
friend and protector ? Who knows better how to console or 
comfort him, when he has been scorned or satirized by 
the world ? For whom does she strive to be economical ? 
For whom is she always endeavouring to increase the order 
and regularity of her house ? For whom does she invent new 
sources of pleasure, if not for him, without whom she her- 
self would be joyless and forsaken? For what does the 
husband struggle for wealth, reputation, or the respect of 
the world, if it is not to share them with a being, who de- 
lights in his prosperity as much as her own? Who can so 
calmly endure the "weakness and infirmities of age, as those 
who shared their happiness with each other in the buoyancy 
of youth ? If sickness comes upon us, what hand admin- 
isters so faithfully to our wants, as that which we received 
at the alter ? A stranger may endeavour to console us, but 
his eye does not beam with the same tenderness and com- 
passion. He may. indeed, mourn for our sufferings, but he 
cannot feel the sympathy of a husband or wife. The mat- 
rimonial state, therefore, where harmony exists, is the most 



134 HOURS OF DEVOTIOH. 

enviable of all others. It affords a rapture ; a delight j 
which neither wealth, nor honor, nor power can give. 

But why is it that we observe so many unfortunate mar- 
riages ? Why is it that there is so much domestic calami- 
ty and discord ? or why is there so many divorces and vol- 
untary separations ? The cause of these evils has its origin? 
chiefly, in the injudicious choice of consorts. Often are they 
hurried by the heat and phrenzy of passion, into the consum- 
mation of their nuptial vows, without ever reflecting about 
each others faults. They see the delights but not the anxi- 
eties of a matrimonial life. But when the fountains of 
their imagined bliss are broken up, then follows satiety and 
disgust. At first, they used every effort to create an im- 
pression in their favour ; now, they stand before each other 
without attempting to conceal a single imperfection. Their 
expectations are mutually deceived. Their bad qualities, 
hitherto veiled by artifice, now become more glaring and 
odious. Their fancied pleasures, have given place to indif- 
ference. They accuse each other oi deception, when at 
the same time, they foolishly deceived themselves. Re- 
proaches ensue, which terminate in gainsaying, obstinacy 
and aversion. 

There are others who engage in matrimony with mo- 
tives of a more studied and less imperious character. They 
think only of wealth or family distinction, and not the vices 
or virtues, by which their long journey through life is to be 
made painful or agreeable. Their union is consummated. 
Their avarice has not been disappointed in its aim ; their 
ambition for ancestral honors has been gratified. But all 
the wealth of the world will avail but little, when existence 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 135 

is rendered intolerable, or life a burthen. Proud or titled 
connexions, cannot atone for the sufferings of an anguish- 
ed heart, which can only terminate with public ignominy or 
death. 

Riches are at all times desirable, yet there is no happi- 
ness more enviable than that of the poor man, who has 
gained nothing at the alter but a pure and devoted heart. 
Is a tear of sorrow and despair the less agonizing, because 
it is shed in a palace ? Is not wealth compared with a tran- 
quil mind, a paltry ; a worthless bauble ? Or can reputa- 
tion or splendor, heal the wounds of a lacerated and bleed- 
ing heart 1 

A discordant, matrimonial life, is perhaps, the most de- 
plorable of all others. The remedy which we would choose 
in other situations, is denied us in this. Nothing but death 
can break the shackels that bind us to the object of our ha- 
tred. Each day brings with it some new grievance or 
chagrin, and one avoids the other as they would a leprosy. 
These evils, however, are not always attributable to an 
imprudent choice of consorts. They may have been fitted 
to render each other happy, had they not permitted them- 
selves to grow careless and indifferent, or give way to some 
trifling resertment, which, indeed, the eye of a stranger 
may not discern, but which is ultimately destructive of 
family peace. 

If domestic happiness is a desirable object, let it be the 
first endeavour of a man and wife, to divest themselves of 
every trait of character, which may be displeasing to each 
other. The husband will not require that perfection in his 
wife which he does not possess himself. He will not con- 



136 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

demn her for a fault, of which he himself is guilty. Nor 
will she accuse him of always being in the wrong, but ac- 
knowledge that she is sometimes in error also. If she is 
not loved by her husband, she will not censure him for a 
want of affection, but conclude that she has not taken suffi- 
cient pains to make herself amiable and agreeable in his 
presence. 

To preserve peace and harmony in matrimonial life, we 
must adorn ourselves with all those social and engaging 
virtues, which never fail to make an agreeable impression. 
A certain degree of reserve and modesty, is indispensibly 
requisite. Without these we would soon become objects of 
disgust. "We should always be complaisant in our words 
and actions, and even though it may be feigned in the first 
instance, yet, with a little exertion, it will eventually settle 
into a habit. Love and respect cannot be enforced ; they 
must be the voluntary offerings of the heart. Wouldest 
thou possess either 7 then render thyself worthy of them. 
The husband and wife should always avoid negligence of 
conduct towards each other. They may be heedless in 
their intercourse with strangers, but it will not be produc- 
tive of the same evil consequences. To be beloved by those 
with whom we are constantly associated, we must use our 
constant endeavours to please. Rough or indelicate ex- 
pressions, should never for a moment be tolerated. It is 
impossible to wipe them away from the recollection ; con- 
sequently they become a source of misery. 
The happiness of a matrimonial life is increased, where 
consorts make it an inviolable rule always to manifest a 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 137 

mutual respect for each other ; and even though they may 
sometimes differ in their opinions, never to give way to 
petulence or ill-will. Even feigned anger in the married 
life, is not only in the highest degree censurable, but often- 
times dangerous. 

One of the most salutary laws of the connubial state, is, 
that the husband and wife shut out, even from their bosom 
friends, all knowledge, whatever, of their own private af- 
fairs. There must be an entire openness of heart ; an un- 
questioned sincerity, of all that relates to them as consorts 
or parents. The first secret which one conceals from the 
other, will prove the inevitable destruction of mutual confi 
dence. A single falsehood, will create suspicion for years. 
He who deceives others, is fearful that they will also prac- 
tice deception. Those who have been once deluded, can 
never entirely rid themselves of distrust. This, too, affords 
an opportunity for tatlers,or pretended friends to excite sus- 
picion and jealousy. There can be no greater offence in the 
married state than that of perfidy. The adulterer is an aver- 
sion to all good men ; he is a perjured, blasphemous wretch, 
who recklessly violates the oath which he solemnly plight- 
ed in the presence of his God. We need not recount the 
anguish, the ignominy, nor the maddening tortures which 
flows from a crime like this. They can be understood. 
Neither should consorts be suspected, even of impure 
thoughts or inclinations. Therefore they must not regard 
others with undue courtesy or attention, lest unpleasant feel- 
ings might be the result, and the sanctity of the heart for- 
ever profaned. Hear the words of Christ : " whosoever 
12 



138 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

iooketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adul- 
tery with her already in his heart." 

There is many a worthy husband, who, by his impru- 
dence, caprice, or a spirit of contradiction, has become the de- 
stroyer of his own domestic happiness. By some childish 
indulgence ; trifling unkindness ; or unnecessary exercise of 
his authority, the affections of his wife are often chilled or 
alienated. Then, he foolishly makes a sacrifice of his peace 
and tranquillity for life. Only one remedy remains ; and 
that is — Love. This, alone, can create reciprocal confi- 
dence and esteem, or look with indulgence upon the faults 
of others, and choose a fitting time for their correction. A 
proper degree of self love, will induce us to throw aside 
our weaknesses, and adopt new virtues in their stead ; to 
respect the world, and be contented with the enjoyment of 
life. 

Love and religion hallows the bonds of matrimony, The 
husband and wife, who are under their influence, will sink at 
last, with the same hope into the arms of death. They be- 
hold the same eternity prepared for their reception ; they 
offer up the same prayers to the father of the universe. 



H0UR9 OP DEVOTIOK. 13$ 



UNMARRIED LIFE. 

First Reflection. 

In the dawn of Christianity, many of the disciples of 
Christ were actuated by a holy zeal to refrain from matri- 
mony, for the sake of disseminating the word of God more 
generally among the people. The apostles had many dif- 
ficulties to encounter, and to this may be attributed their 
advice, so frequently given to those who w r ere engaged in 
the work of the Lord, to remain unmarried. Paul writes 
to his Corinthian friends : " I would have you without care- 
fulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things 
of the Lord, how he may please the Lord." But in 
succeeding ages these words were misunderstood. He:nS 
and there fanatics affected to believe that matrimony 
was almost a sin. Men and women from a mistaken zeal, 
withdrew to cells and cloisters, to devote their lives to 
prayer and spiritual reflections. However strong may have 
been their faith — however noble their intentions ; still their 
self-denial was foolish and unnecessary. Neither Christ 
nor his disciples went into the desert ; but remained in the 
throng and crowd of the world, so as to add to the happi- 
ness of mankind. 

Celibacy at the present day, is no uncommon thing ; but 
it is owing to other reasons than those which governed the 



140 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

apostles. It does not arise from a zeal for religion, but 
from causes of a more melancholy character, which 
are too important to remain unnoticed. It is not unusual 
to see young men and women consigned by their unfeeling 
parents to a solitary cloister ; not that they believe such 
sacrifices will make them more acceptable in the sight of 
heaven, but to provide for younger sons and daughters, 
who cannot hope for a rich inheritance, or even a decent 
livelihood*. What a profanation of religion ; when it Is 
used for such vile and mercenary purposes. Many salutary 
laws however, have been wisely instituted, by which these 
evils have in some measure, been diminished. 

Another very glaring . error, arising from a mistaken 
view of religion, which prevails in different countries at 
the present day, is, contrary to the doctrine of Christ and 
his disciples, a belief that matrimony should not be tole- 
rated between persons of different confessions of faith. 
-Wiiy should such unjustifiable prejudice interpose between 
hearts that feel as if they were created for each other I 
Why should there continue to be so much ignorance of the 
truths of God, when not even a village is without a teach- 
er of his law. 

" Of a truth," says the apostle Peter, " I perceive that 
God is no respecter of persons ; but in every nation, he 
that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is accepted 

* We need scarcely inform the intelligent reader,' that the laws 
regulating the descent of property in Germany, are much the 
same as those of o her governments whose features tre essi ttt-fck 
ly aristocratic. 



H0T7ES OF BEVOTION. 141 

of him." Paul has spoken still more explicitly upoin 
this subject. " If any brother hath a wife that beiieveth 
not, and if she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not 
put her away. And the woman which hath a husband that 
beiieveth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let 
her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanc- 
tified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by 
the husband ; else were your children unclean ; but now 
are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him 
depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such 
cases ,* but God hath called us to peace. For what know- 
est thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband ? 
Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy 
wife 1 But as God hath distributed to every man : as the 
Lord hath called every one, so let him walk : and so or- 
dain I in all churches." 

Thus spake the apostles nearly two thousand years ago: 
Yet, notwithstanding, many professing christians still insist 
upon what they term the impropriety ; nay, the crime of 
intermarriages between persons of a different belief. Can 
there be more than one true and heartfelt religion ? Bid 
not the same Christ suffer for us all ? Then, where is the 
iniquity of wedlock between those who acknowlege the 
same God, and the same Saviour, although they may wor- 
ship them in a different manner ! Such prohibitions are 
at variance with the spirit of Christianity; they are the 
relics of an infatuation, which characterized a dark a&d 
barbarous age. Therefore have the laws very properly 
abolished all such ecclesiastical rules and regulations. Still 
12* 



142 HOURS OF DEVOTION, 

it is very difficult to root out prejudice from the minds of 
an ignorant people. 

But matrimony has a still greater enemy in the avowed 
skepticism that is so prevalent throughout the country, 
As a consequence of this disbelief of the divine word, we 
see the people departing from their original simplicity, 
and growing more and more studied and artificial in their 
manners ; and also, the introduction of luxury and the 
creation of innumerable wants. Many an honest man, by 
attending to the suggestions of his ridiculous vanity and 
pride, is rendered unable by his exertions, to support even 
himself, let alone a wife or children. In vain is he urged 
by reason, religion and experience, to be contented with 
little. The fetters of custom cannot be broken ; and the 
follies and conceits of the age, usurp the place of com- 
mon wisdom and prudence. Men degenerate into the most 
abject slaves, in striving to amass wealth, which they are 
sometimes willing to acknowledge will not prove to them 
a source of happiness. And not unfrequently, for the sake 
of paying their tribute at the imperious shrine of fashion, 
they become guilty of dishonesty and fraud. 

The frivblous education of daughters is far from being 
favourable, either to the increase of marriages, or domes- 
tic peace. Parents squander their money to obtain an ap- 
parent distinction, which they cannot long maintain. Out 
of an unpardonable vanity, one family endeavours to rival 
another in grandeur, to the manifest destruction of both. 
By this extravagance, a daughter is deprived of those en- 
dowments, which alone, could render her a worthy and 



HOURS OP DEVOTION. 143 

deserving wife. She is neglected, forgotten ; and all this 
she cannot but attribute to the reprehensible conduct of her 
parents. There is also another error which often attends 
their bringing up. They are prepared to occupy a station 
in life, which they cannot reasonably expect ever to 
attain. When they are disappointed in their hopes, they 
have recourse to every little artifice and trivial accom- 
plishment within their reach, to effect their design. They 
dress gaily, dance elegantly, and are proficients in music .; 
they can also recite poetry, and talk about the fashionable 
novels of the day ; all of which but illy accords with their 
indifferent circumstances. They compose the number of 
those who are not suited for the realities of life. Their 
constant perusal of fictitious narratives, or wild and im- 
probable legends, have filled their imaginations with ex- 
travagant phantoms — destroyed all delicacy of feeling — 
changed the natural gush of tenderness and sensibility into 
a silly affectation. Their heart is poisoned — their con- 
science polluted — their understanding unenlightened— and 
the simple grace and elegance of maimer, turned into frigid 
coquetry. What sober thinking man would pledge his 
hand to an object of such moral deformity ? Or, should 
he be so unfortunate, upon what foundation does he expect 
to build up his domestic peace ? 

This method of educating a daughter, has a pernicious 
influence upon the opposite sex. A man rejects all notions 
©f a matrimonial life, because he perceives that he is not 
in a situation to gratify the excessive vanity of a female, 
with whom, otherwise, he believes he might be happy- 



144 HOURS OF DEVOTIOIf. 

He scatters his money in sensual pursuits, because his af- 
fections are not likely to be centered in a wife or children. 
His greatest familiarity is with outcast and abandoned wo- 
men. He ruins the virtue of an innocent female and calls 
it a triumph. He sinks down at last, a self- immolated 
victim of his own vices : or if he should for a time escape 
the abyss into which he is fast precipitating, and remain a 
little longer in the world, with ruined health and a shat- 
tered constitution; it is to heap curses, upon those whom he 
may have been instrumental in consigning to ignominy. 
Perhaps, in the evening of his days, he may blindly take 
upon himself the responsibilities of a husband, and if so r 
with what horror and disgust he must observe his own in- 
fected and poisoned blood, creeping through the veins of a 
prematurely contaminated offspring. Away with such un- 
hallowed wretches from society. Why should my devo- 
tions be sullied with their memory ? 

Let us not, however, censure with too much severity, the 
man who seemingly prefers an unmarried life, without, in 
the first place, fully comprehending his motives. Perhaps 
he is fearful of bringing poverty and distress upon a vir- 
tuous and amiable wife ; perhaps it requires all his exer- 
tions for the support of indigent parents, or for some ether 
equally laudable purpose. The ardor of his youth may 
have been chilled by misfortune — his affections blighted by 
the fickleness of some unworthy object. We cannot judge 
of the thousand causes which may govern his conduct. 

Thou who art without the cares of a family, who art 
without a wife or children to claim thy attention, should*t 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 145 

devote thyself more exclusively to the common good of 
thy fellow beings — the welfare of thy country, or the fur- 
therance of scientific knowledge. Such were the objects 
of the learned men of by-gone ages, who remained unmar- 
ried. Let the happiness of the whole human family, in 
imitation of them, be unto thee as a fondly cherished 
bride. Divest thyself of the immoralities that too often 
accompany a single life. Secure to thyself the esteem of 
all with whom thou art connected ; render thyself worthy of 
the praise and gratitude of the poor, and thou wilt fulfil thy 
high calling and verify the words of the apostle, " he that 
is unmarried careth for the things of the Lord, how he 
may please the Lord." 



146 HOUBB OP DEVOTIOH. 



UNMARRIED LIFE. 

Second Reflection, 

Many christians in former times, were obliged to flee 
to the deserts, on account of the cruel persecutions of the 
heathens ; while others voluntarily denied themselves all 
intercourse with men, and withdrew to monasteries in order 
as they supposed, to devote themselves more exclusively to 
God. Many women from similar motives followed their 
example, until eventually, a monastic life was considered 
the most sacred of all others. The country was filled with 
cloisters ; and their inmates, who pretended to renounce the 
pleasures of the world, and solemnly promised to live in 
the greatest poverty and abstinence, were now rioting in all 
the pomp and splendor that wealth could procure. Here too, 
instead of harmony and love, was enmity, injustice, and 
oftentimes cruelty. 

The females, who were thus cut off from society, were 
more particularly deserving of sympathy. They were fre- 
quently the unwilling sacrifices of the cupidity of their pa- 
rents. They were persuaded or compelled to seal the irre- 
vocable vow, at an age when they had but a limited know- 
lege of the world ; or when they were unable to compre- 
hend the importance of the step, which could never be re- 
traced. They found, alas ! when repentance was too late, 
that they had been infamously deceived. Nature and ex- 



HOURS OP DEVOTION. 147 

perience taught them that they were not fitted for such unin- 
terrupted seclusion. But they complained in vain — their 
sighs and lamentations were unheard. They mourned con- 
stantly over their hapless condition, and thus their lives pass- 
ed away joyless and sorrowful. 

The wise regulations of the Creator for the continuation 
of the human race, has, and will ever remain the same. 
The impulses which we have thus received — which have 
been rooted and stamped in our nature, can never be anni- 
hilated. We may disobey them, but it will not be without 
the certainty of punishment. 

But to return to our subject. Women generally, are bet- 
ter suited for domestic happiness ; and for the performance 
of social and tender duties. To make themselves and others 
happy, seems to be their chief delight. There are many, 
however, who have denied themselves this opportunity. 
They die, lonely and neglected. They either preferred the 
unmarried state ; or vainly forfeited the respect of those 
men, who, under other circumstances, would have been 
willing to become their companions for life. In the latter 
instance we may perceive the evil effects arising from the 
defective education of females, which prevails in our prin- 
cipal towns and cities. And how just are the complaints of 
this degeneracy by reflecting and sober thinking men, who 
would select a prudent, faithful and economical wife, instead 
of one who is a worshiper at the shrine of fashion, delight- 
ing to exhibit herself to the gaze of a stupid but admiring 
crowd ; one who has collected her wisdom and experience 
solely from the dreamings of poets and romancers ; one 
who prefers splendor to simplicity, or self adoration to ami- 



148 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

ability or modesty; one whose ideas of dignity and proprie- 
ty are such, that she would consider the performance of her 
household duties as something too vulgar and contemptible 
to be even thought of. Well may it be said that there are 
many, who, by the faults they have acquired, either by long 
habit, or the dangerous instruction of their parents, have 
rendered themselves unworthy and unsuitable for that sta- 
tion which it should be their pride to become the orna- 
ment. 

A man, on the contrary, whatever may be his situation 
in life, can always be useful. He will find something to 
engage his attention, either in the service of his country, or 
some domestic or scientific pursuit. Even though he should 
remain unmarried, he has numberless chances oi making 
himself useful in the world, by a proper use of the capaci- 
ties and powers which his creator has allotted to him ; so 
that he may finally exult in the glory of his career, riot- 
withstanding he has no wife or children to comfort him. He 
feels that he has not lived in vain upon earth. Far different 
is it with woman. There are not so many objects to call 
forth her zeal and activity. If she remains unmarried, her 
services are rendered for the benefit of some other family — 
services that would be in reality a pleasure rather than a 
pain, if they were intended to cheer and exhileratea family 
of her own ; but as it is, no husband is gladdened after the 
toils of the day are over — no children are nourished to be 
unto her a support in her age and infirmity. 

From this source arise many evils which are often char- 
acteristic of unmarried females. The want of some en- 
grossing pursuit or object to employ their minds, causes 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 149 

them to seek amusement or gratification in things, which in 
other situations, they would think unworthy of their charac- 
ters. They grow talkative, restless and ill-humoured, and 
are unusually severe in their remarks upon those of their 
sex who have been more fortunate than themselves. They 
still expect the flattery with which they were greeted in the 
bloom of youth. By their untimely coquetry, they make 
themselves ridiculous and disgusting. Others, who may 
avoid these errors, we see amusing themselves with some 
bigoted or fanciful theory of religion. They are regular in 
their attendance at church ; but in their general intercourse 
with society, they thoughtlessly wound the feelings of others, 
and break through the restrictions that are imposed by de- 
cency and sobriety. These, however, are the errors of an 
uneducated mind, rather than any natural wickedness of 
heart, and consequently are the more pardonable. They 
have sought after contentment, and endeavoured to reconcile 
themselves with their present condition, but in this they 
have been disappointed. They are sufficiently punished by 
the mockery of the unthinking. But you, who look upon 
them with a sneer, should not forget that you are commit- 
ting a crime of still greater magnitude. Not that their faults 
should pass unnoticed, nor that you should not make them 
sensible of their defects ; but in doing this, you run into an 
error yourself, by forgetting the respect that is due to them 
in all cases, and under all circumstances. 

Why will you increase the misery of her who has re- 
nounced the happiness of a matrimonial life ? Are you qua- 
lified to judge of her motives? Do you know what disgust 
she may have felt for the deceitfulness of man ? Were you 

13 



150 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

a witness of her agony — her burning tears — the grief that 
secretly devoured her, when the spell of her affections were 
broken ? when the vows of love proved a deceiving and ly- 
ing oracle? when the joys of life fled quickly away, and 
existence became to her a curse — a torment ? And yet, you 
despise her — you, who do not possess an atom of her no- 
bleness of soul — you, whose passions, whose lusts, are all 
unrestrained. As she advances in years, her friends, one 
by one, desert her — friends, who in her youth, manifested 
the warmest attachment. But there are those by whom she 
will not be forsaken — those who are imbued with the spirit 
and love of a true christian. It should now become her 
especial care to attend faithfully to the requisitions of God. 
"The unmarried woman," says the apostle, "careth for 
the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body 
and in spirit ; but she that is married careth for the things 
of the world, how she may please her husband."' The 
sphere in which the former now moves is more circumscrib- 
ed ; she does not mingle so much with the world ; therefore 
she should feel more deeply concerned about the truths of 
religion ; not alone by habitual praying and pious exercises, 
which may be only an outward demonstration of her devo- 
tion — but rather by kind, charitable and humane actions, 
whereby those will be benefited who may require her assist- 
ance. Let her avoid every thing that might create a dis- 
like for her among men. Only she who knows how to ob- 
tain universal respect and esteem can have the same oppor- 
tunity of doing good. Then it is essential to avoid the 
imprudence of those who injure themselves by light and 
trivial conduct ; who express their hatred on every occa- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 151 

sion of the opposite sex ; who surrender themselves to the 
gaieties and dissipations of life ; and become notorious for 
their bigotry and prejudice, as if there was nothing else, 
more worthy, to engage their attention. 

The unmarried female, who is advanced in years, if she 
would lead an exemplary life, will care only for the things 
of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and mind. 
And in order to this, she will throw aside every foible. She 
will not be extravagant in her dress, nor propagate mali- 
cious or slanderous reports of others. She will be meek in 
spirit, and like the poor widow, cheerfully cast her mite into 
the treasury. As far as her circumstances will permit, she 
will be charitable to the poor, without ostentation.* The 
happiness of others will be her greatest care and concern. 
She will be as a guardian angel to the young and inexpe- 
rienced, whose love and confidence she has obtained, and 
who may profit by her instructions. She will advise, com- 
fort, assist, and in every way contribute to the welfare of 
her friends, and thus she will be prepared to enter into the 
joys of her Lord. 



152 HOURS OF DEVOTIOK* 



OLD AGE. 

A serene, virtuous old age, is the ultimate desire of every 
heart. For the attainment of this are all our cares and 
anxieties. Behold, at last, the old and venerable man, who 
is resting after the toils of a wearisome life. He is like a 
reaper in the evening, who leans upon his sheaf, and sur- 
veys the wide field in which he has been pleasantly engag- 
ed. His bodily strength is worn away ; but still his wisdom 
and experience is of infinite value. His children surround 
him with delight. When they were helpless he supported 
them. Now they are busy in endeavouring to lessen his 
troubles, whatever they may be, and to reward him for his 
parental kindness. The blooming girl and high-minded 
youth may be objects of admiration ; but the silvery locks 
of the old and decrepit man will inspire a feeling of reve- 
rence that was before a stranger to our bosoms. To him, 
however humble, kings and princes have delighted to 
do honor. Every where he receives a certain degree of 
respect ; a deference which seems to be only due to one of 
his years. 

The aged man looks back through the vista of time 
which he has passed, as upon a varied and almost unremenv 
bered dream. He sees the storms which he buffeted in his 
manhood ; and beyond them, the pleasing delights of his 
earlier years. He forgets not the friends or associates of 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 153 

his youth, who now are slumbering in the quiet grave. 
Like them his race will soon be at an end. Eternity seems 
to be opening at his feet. The morning of his existence, 
with all its glories, has passed away ; the sun of life has 
set, and every bright and radient hue is fading into a dim 
and shadowy light, which darkness will soon envelope. 
The dawn of an immortality bursts upon his view, and he 
looks forward with ineffable rapture to the appointed time, 
when his ransomed spirit will be numbered with the just 
made perfect. 

Every period of life has its joys. The burthen of years, 
some have said, is wearisome and oppressive. To him 
who is wicked and debased, it may be so ; but far other- 
wise to the christian. We have seen the father, old and 
infirm, happy in the embrace of his children, even in the 
depth of poverty. We too have seen the noble and weal- 
thy in all their splendor and magnificence, who were full 
of misery and despair. Old age says one, is weak and 
imbecile. It is true, that the body may be worn out with 
the labor of years ; but there is an increase of strength 
and power imparted to the mind. The fire and the im- 
petuosity of youth, enervates the spirit more than all 
other causes combined. The old as w T ell as the young, may 
be dull, spiritless and ill-humoured ; but it is entirely their 
own fault. The former may be gloomy, quarrelsome, 
distrustful and avaricious ; but these are the vicious incli- 
nations and habits of early life, which have been encourag- 
ed and matured in after years. 

Men who are dissatisfied with their lot in the commence. 
13* 



154 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

ment of their career — men who suffer themselves to be led 
away with vanity and pride, will in old age. be invariably 
peevish and fretful. If they have not accustomed them- 
selves to look with reverence upon those who are bowed 
down with the w r eight of years ; if they have not made it 
their study to promote the happiness of their fellow beings, 
they will finally experience the same want of attention and 
solicitude themselves. 

It is a foolish but common belief, that old age, be it ever 
so virtuous or honorable, is rendered miserable from a con- 
stant apprehension of death, which necessarily must be 
near at hand. Thus, in our short-sighted wisdom, we 
abuse the goodness and providence of God. How few are 
the number who pass the meridian of life. In the midst 
of all their hopes and expectations, they are suddenly cut 
off. The man of fourscore may outlive them all. Then 
we are all subject to the same doubt — the same uncertain* 

Why shouldst thou believe that the hope of a long life 
will increase the happiness of thy youth ? Here the wis- 
dom of God is eminently displayed. He has diffused peace 
and tranquility in the minds of the aged. Between them 
and the grave he has interposed a veil, so that they can 
only contemplate a life of eternal glory. As their percep- 
tions are weakened, they think less of the things of the 
earth. Their strength passes imperceptibly away ; they 
grow more and more feeble ; and at last their existence is 
terminated, like the rays of a dim and expiring lamp. They 
are gone \ but they felt not the terror— the agony, which 



H0WE3 OF DEVOTION. 155 

startled them so fearfully in the days of their infancy or man- 
hood. They would rather exclaim, with Simeon of old : 
" Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, ac- 
cording to thy word." Therefore, thou shouldst love and 
venerate those who are sunken in years ; and forget not 
the divine command : " Thou shall rise up before the hoary 
head, and honor the face of the old man," They have 
underwent severe toil — they have performed many good 
actions ; and now they deserve comfort and rest. Be then 
to them kind, indulgent and forbearing. They will remain 
with us but a short time : and who is so cruel as to grieve 
them in the last moments of their existence 1 Who is so 
destitute of feeling as not to soothe their sorrows or light- 
en the burthen of their afflictions ? 

Our veneration for old age is still holier and more praise- 
worthy when it is manifested for relations or parents. We 
thereby render the gratitude which we owe ; we give back 
the love which we have already received. He who refuses 
the respect which is due to aged parents, or despises them 
now they can no longer be of any service to him, is a mon- 
ster in human shape, and justly the abhorrence of man- 
kind. 

Do not despise the aged ; for one day thou mayest grow 
feeble thyself, and thy own locks be silvered with the touch 
of time. Then it will be like balm to thy spirit to receive 
that kindness and attention which thou hast shown to 
others. It will console thee to be a recipient of the in- 
dulgences of thy children. It will be to thee an inexpres- 
sible delight to find that they have followed thy good 



156 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

example, and thought it worthy of imitation. And you, 
aged and beloved christians — who may feel a conscious- 
ness of the wisdom and piety which you have acquired 
in your trials and difficulties through life — you should 
furnish to the young and rising generation, an evidence of 
your resignation and fortitude in every calamity. You 
must be unto them advisers and friends. But do not deny 
them the little joys and pastimes to which their youth en- 
title them. Weary them not with contrasts between the 
present and former times ; nor deprecate the want of mo- 
rality in one, and extol the virtues of the other. Remember 
that society may undergo many changes without always 
being for the worse. Do not think, because you have lost 
all taste for amusement, that they must necessarily par- 
take of a similar disposition. Censure them not too se- 
verely for every trivial offence ; but make allowance 
for their thoughtlessness and inexperience. Thus, you 
will obtain their confidence and affection, and when you are 
summoned to the enjoyment of unmingled happiness be- 
yond the grave, they will separate from you with tears ; 
their prayers will accompany you to the throne of the 
Eternal ; and you will still continue to live in their me- 
mories. 

Almighty Father ! to me thy will is unknown. I can- 
not tell when it may please thee to call me away ; whether 
in the strength of my years, or not until I am trembling 
with the infirmities of age. Always will I be prepared : 
and if my life should be prolonged, I will endeavour to 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 157 

perfect myself in holiness, and become more worthy of a 
better world. 

My latest breath shall glorify thy name ; and though 
my body should loose its strength, my soul will increase 
in energy and power. 



158 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



THE ART OF REACHING AN OLD AGE- 

First Reflection. 

There are but few men who do not wish to live to an 
old age. To be sure, there are some exceptions,, but even 
these, although they apparently evince but little fear of 
death, — are willing to defer the moment of dissolution to 
the latest possible period. When they grow old, they will 
not acknowledge their gradual decay, and often fancy that 
they still possess the strength and ardor of youth. 

The love of life is a primary law of our nature ; and 
operates upon all created beings the same. There are, how* 
ever, some instances to the contrary ; men who grow weary 
of existence from various causes ; and suffer their minds to 
become disordered and confused in a thousand different 
ways ; — some through despair and fanaticism ; others on 
account of bodily infirmities, or disappointment in the antu 
cipation of renown ; some one thing, and some another ; 
but all attributable to a species of mental delirium. Even a 
deliberate and long premeditated suicide has its origin in a 
diseased and phrenzied brain. 

In all ages there has been many wise maxims in relation 
to the art of prolonging life. The prevailing and engros- 
sing desire to keep death as far in the distance as possible, 
has led men into the most absurd and ridiculous habits. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 159 

That simple and invaluable precept — to be temperate in all 
things, they entirely overlook, and have recourse to some 
secret and infallible nostrum, that probably, has acquired a 
reputation for the certain cure of every malady peculiar 
to the human race. But ail precautions are useless that 
are not in conformity with the plain and unerring dictates 
of nature and common sense. And even then we have no 
certainty of realizing our hopes ; although we need not 
diminish them by intemperance and debauchery. Man, 
like a plant, has a certain duration allotted to him, beyond 
which he can never pass ; and if he would not prematurely 
decay, he must avoid all excesses in early life. 

Why do we desire so eagerly to prolong our existence ? 
Is it that we believe there is any contentment or happiness 
in old age ? Look at the men who are stricken in years, 
and observe how they struggle with their infirmities ; how 
they have fallen a burthen to themselves and others. 
Their sense of enjoyment is deadened, and the world has 
no longer for them any charms. In what does their plea- 
sures consist? They love to recount the delights of their 
youth, and think that then every thing was infinitely bet- 
ter than at present. They are gloomy and desponding ; 
and there is nothing which does not appear to them un- 
pleasing or irksome. There may be some of a contrary 
disposition ; but it is seldom that we find old persons pos- 
sessing that warmth of feeling, that generous love, or that 
indulgence to the faults of others which were heretofore 
peculiar to them. All this, however, is entirely owing to 
their own neglect. They were anxious to lengthen their 



160 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

years, but thought not of preparing themselves for cheer- 
fulness and tranquility. He, therefore, who wishes to live 
long, should faithfully consider how he may live happy. 
In the wane of life, we are deprived of so many sources 
of joy that sparkled and shed a lustre upon our youth, that 
we must devise some other means, whereby the equili- 
brium of our happiness can be preserved. Without this 
our old age would only be a scene of constant trouble and 
vexation. 

i£ Happy is the man;" says Solomon, "that findeth wis- 
dom. Length of days is in her right hand; and in 
her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways 
of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." But such 
wisdom is only to be derived from pure and undefiled re- 
ligion — religion that purifies the soul, and takes away the 
terrors of death — religion that makes us contented here, 
and inspires us with the hope of a glorious existence here- 
after. 

Should I be permitted to reach an old age, it will be my 
own fault if I am unhappy. I will not desire one, with- 
out endeavouring to avoid the other. To the first, there- 
fore, all my efforts shall tend, nor can I begin my prepara- 
tions too soon. We sow in the spring what we expect to 
harvest in the autumn. We will never want if we are 
frugal in the days of plenty. 

Contentment in old age, depends not upon the mfhd 
alone, but also upon the proper management and condition 
of the body. It is the foundation upon which rises the 
structure of human happiness. The preservation of our 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 161 

health, therefore, should be one of our chief concerns. With- 
out it, life is at best burthensome, and old age intolerable. 
And to accomplish this, we must avoid all excesses in our 
early years. But in relation to this we can offer no definite 
rules. The occupations of men are different, and what 
would be adapted to the temperament of one, might be 
highly injurious to onother. What, for one, is too little, 
would probably be for the other too much. Then we should 
not blindly pursue the same beaten track of others, under 
the belief that what is not hurtful to them cannot be inju- 
rious to us. We should examine ourselves with scrupulous 
attention. Every thing that produces uneasiness, or debili- 
tation, is pernicious to our health, and should be immediately 
discarded. 

We do not always feel the evil effects of our excesses 
upon the instant. Years will sometimes elapse before they 
are fully developed ; and, perhaps, long after we have en- 
tirely forgotten the causes from which they proceed. The 
only means of escaping them, is, in all cases, to contribute 
only to our natural wants. Every one, therefore, should 
form a correct estimate of his constitutional powers, and 
whatever he may find defective, he should apply himself 
sedulously to remedy. A disease, though trivial in its 
nature, should not be neglected because it does not prove 
troublesome at the present moment. The merest trifle, if 
unattended to, may finally terminate in a destructive ma- 
lady. 

Our habits of life must be simple and uniform. This is 
indispensibly requisite to health and longevity. Excessive 
14 



162 HOURS OP DEVOTIOrC. 

eating and drinking will always be found an infallible mode 
to shorten existence. Nothing further is required to poison 
the body, than the epicurean's feast. He, alas ! can seldom 
boast, even of good health ; much less, of long life. Such 
men blindly and wilfully rush upon their own destruction. 

Idlers, and those accustomed to luxury, never live to a 
great age. Too much labor without a proportional degree 
of rest, is equally pernicious. Those of sedentary em- 
ployments should exercise daily in the open air. The 
atmosphere of a room will soon become impure by respi- 
ration, and consequently very unwholesome, unless proper- 
ly ventilated. 

Cleanliness too, is not only a great ornament, but abso- 
lutely essential to our health. Therefore did Moses and 
other wise men of old, enjoin and recommend frequent 
ablutions of the body. Occasional bathing — temperance in 
eating and drinking — enjoyment of pure air — and a proper 
proportion of activity and rest ; these are the surest auxil- 
iaries to long life. 

If we would enjoy a cheerful mind, we must be content- 
ed, and learn to accumulate enough in manhood, to support 
us in after years. The fear of falling a burthen to others 
in old age, is ruinous to our peace and tranquility. Let 
there be no cause for such a disaster. Then we shall not 
be disturbed by a bitter anticipation of it. Sorrows in 
early life, produce premature exhaustion both of mind and 
body. 

On every side I behold men conspiring against their owa 
lives, by indulging in dissolute habits. Here is a youth, 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 163 

offering up his health, a willing sacrifice, upon the altar of 
sensuality ; there another, whose energies are unconscious- 
ly blasted by the destroying banquet, or whose nerves are 
shattered by the effects of ardent and corroding drinks. 
What a multitude of persons are anxious for long life, 
and yet, cut it short by their own imprudence. How few 
of such who ever realize their wishes ,* and if so, what in- 
firmities are they obliged to endure. 



164 HO¥RS OF DEVOTION, 



THE ART OF REACHING AN OLD AGE> 

Second Reflection. 

We may preserve our health, and accumulate riches; 
but these alone, will not insure us happiness, nor an old 
age. A still more difficult task, is to control or subdue 
our evil passions, which consumes unobserved, our strength 
and vigor. " A merry heart," exclaims Solomon, " doeth 
good like a medicine : but a broken spirit drieth the 
bones." 

If you would enjoy a smooth and tranquil existence, 
you must avoid all violent outbreakings of your temper. 
Nothing is more injurious. Grief, sorrow, fear, terror, 
or excess of joy, are all alike destructive to health. Con- 
sequently, persons of a cold, phlegmatic temperament, are 
the most likely to be long lived. Let nothing, therefore, 
in any circumstance whatever, disturb the serenity of your 
mind. Give not way to violent or contending emotions. 
Can your misfortunes be amended by immoderate grief or 
anger ? It may be difficult to restrain your feelings ; but a 
resolute determination will enable you to remove that 
which may have appeared impossible. 

This self-dominion we must commence at an early age. 
Each neglected day makes the struggle more difficult. We 
can begin the exercise in the pursuance of our daily avo- 



HOURS OF DEVOTI02C. 165 

cations. We should not forget that there is a possibility of 
loosing every thing upon which we may place our affec- 
tions here below. By such a preparation, the loss does not 
appear so intolerable. An unexpected misfortune is always 
the greatest. If any unpleasant occurrence should excite 
our petulance, let us consider whether it would be prudent 
or necessary to sacrifice our good humour, even for a mo- 
ment. If we are called upon to express our disapprobation 
of the conduct of an individual who may in some way or 
other be connected with us, we should do it without too 4 
much irritability. There are many, who, from a singular 
ambition of giving themselves an air of importance in the 
eyes of the world, are loud, -boisterous and vehement, upon 
every occasion. What in the beginning was only artificial , 
becomes at length, a permanent custom. There are others, 
who suffer their minds to become effeminate ; who indulge 
every idle humor ; who affect to be more unhappy than 
they really are ; who constantly complain with the hope 
of enlisting the sympathy of their friends; who in short, 
seem to avoid every thing that would in the remotest de- 
gree increase their happiness. Such persons thereby pre- 
pare for themselves an early grave ; or if they should 
approach the verge of old age, they experience little else 
than bitterness and sorrow* 

If we would appear otherwise than we are, it should be 
more serene and cheerful. Show yourself at least artificially 
gay. In course of time, this assumed gladness will become 
habitually natural. Then you have triumphed over your 
melancholy disposition. While others in their afflictions 
14* 



166 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

loose all presence of mind, and make the evil greater than 
it really is, you, more prudent and reflecting, will endea- 
vour to lessen a misfortune which you can not wholly 
avoid. You will also be more attentive to the future, that 
you may secure to yourself happiness in the evening of 
your days. If you have children, remember that their 
treatment of you in your old age, will correspond with the 
instructions you have given them in their youth. If you 
are unjust and cruel to them, the less obedience and 
reverence you must expect in return. Treat your friends 
with kindness, and if you should be in need of their as- 
sistance, they will the more cheerfully grant it to you. Con- 
duct yourself towards your neighbors and fellow -citizens 
generally, as will be most likely to insure their friendship 
and good will. If you should expect from them in your 
old age something more than cold civility, then exercise 
benevolence and complaisancy. Do not quarrel about tri- 
fles, nor make yourself ridiculous by sneers, reproaches, or 
vain-boasting— nor hateful by indelicacy, obstinacy or ma- 
licious remarks. Ungrateful men may forget the kindness 
which you have shown them, particularly if their memory 
be not enlivened by frequent repetitions ; but they are cer- 
tain not to overlook any injury you may have done them. 
Wrongs of eveiy kind are written in the memory, as upon 
tablets of stone, never to be effaced. 

The aged man may survive many or all of his friends 
and acquaintances. A new generation will spring up 
around him. Without obtaining their friendship, he re- 
mains lonely and forsaken. This he can only accomplish 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 167 

by his virtues, which do not fail to awaken confidence and 
respect. A social or amiable disposition will never be 
without admiration. 

If you have collected great wealth, do not think that 
that alone will purchase ydu contentment. Perhaps your 
heirs, in consequence of your riches, are impatient for 
your death, in order that they may share your property. 

When you have leisure, neglect not the treasures of your 
mind, which will make your life the more valuable. Be in- 
dustrious, and give yourself often to reflection. Increase 
your knowledge by intercourse with intelligent people, or 
by the perusal of rational and instructive books. An en- 
lightened mind is never unoccupied — it is never without 
fellowship — it holds communion with the whole universe. 
What is gathered in youth, will be in old age a banquet. 
Do not complain that your business or profession gave you 
no time for improvement. You have had your idle mo- 
ments. You have wasted many evenings in gay assem- 
blies or foolish recreations. You should learn, there- 
fore, to be a miser of your time, and devote it more espe- 
cially to intellectual pursuits. 

A healthy and vigorous body ; moderate riches that will 
exempt us from want ; obedient and well educated children; 
friends upon whom we can always depend ; an ever cheer- 
ful temper ; a pure heart and a refined understanding ; 
these are the requisites to happiness in old age, without 
which, life on no account is desirable. 

Religion, to every one, is the surest and safest guide. It 
gives us courage to encounter and overcome the heaviest 



168 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

misfortunes. It warns us against idleness and effeminacy. 
It teaches us to feel a spirit of universal benevolence. It 
imparts to us a consolation in the hour of peril, which man 
cannot give. It keeps us humble in our prosperity, because 
it shows us the inconstancy of earthly things., The truly 
pious old man, is a blessed and enviable being. 

Oh, God ! thou art our only strength and reliance. Aid 
us with thy holy spirit, that we may not be indifferent to 
our own welfare— that we may control our evil propensi- 
ties — that we may omit no opportunity of increasing our 
wisdom ; for he who finds it, is promised long life on one 
hand, and wealth and honor on the other. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 169 



THE FARMER. 

It has been often repeated that few men are satisfied 
with their situation in life. They long after that of ano- 
ther, because they think it is preferable to their own. The 
soldier in his warlike profession, envies the merchant or 
mechanic who quietly pursue their peaceful occupations. 
The latter, also, think that there is no happiness so com- 
plete as that of the rich, who live in abundance and receive 
the homage and praise of the multitude. But even kings 
groan beneath the burthens which their situation imposes ; 
they are scarcely ever relieved from the misery occasioned 
by the enmity, and sometimes perfidy of their subjects and 
advisers — misery of which the lower classes can know no- 
thing about. The deference which is paid to them, is often 
a cold and heartless ceremony. The beggar, to them, wears 
an aspect of contentment, which they in vain seek to pos- 
sess. Thus it is with nearly all men. We must learn 
therefore, that it is not the peculiar business we follow ; 
nor the extent or limitation of our possessions ; nor the 
palace or cottage in which we reside ; nor the importance 
with which we invest ourselves in the presence of others, 
that can bring to us peace or contentedness ; but the pro- 
per discipline of the heart that is to influence our temporal 
happiness. 

A farmer's life, to the citizen, appears one of felicity. The 



170 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

occasional rambles of the latter into the country fill him 
with a romantic idea of its enjoyments. To till the 
ground, though laborious, is to him evidently one of the 
greatest pleasures. In some respects he is not mistaken. 
We find indeed, but very few who are not fond of cultiva- 
ting a garden, or small parcel of ground — to scatter seeds 
and flowers, and to watch them in their growth. No la- 
bour is more conducive to health. It counteracts the evil 
effects which accrue to those who are confined by a seden- 
tary life. The farmer, when he has finished his day's la- 
bour, rests cheerful and happy. The bread which he has 
earned by the sv/eat of his brow, is to him far sweeter 
than the greatest delicacy is to the palate of the rich. 
His manner of life is simple — he has but few cares to dis- 
tract his attention. A thousand things that may disturb 
the tranquility of others, he knows nothing about. 

The life of the husbandman, notwithstanding, has its 
anxieties and troubles. Disease may kill his flocks, or un- 
favorable weather may destroy his industry for a whole 
year. His profits are comparatively small, and a loss that 
would be trifling to many, is very serious to him. From 
this arises many domestic sorrows. An accumulation of 
debts and taxes, which his moderate income will not ena- 
ble him to discharge, become at length, almost insupporta- 
ble. In short, the farmer, whose lot oftentimes appears 
so enviable, suffers the same uneasiness, the same priva- 
tions, as the prince and philosopher, or the merchant and 
mechanic. The advantages which he may be allowed to 
possess, are not in consequence of his pursuing the original, 



HOtTES OF DEVOTION. 171 

and as some contend, the most useful occupation of man — 
for in social life, all are equally dependent upon each other 
— but because he is more closely assimilated to nature, and 
does not accustom himself to as many unreal wants. He 
knows but little of the glitter and trappings of the fashiona- 
ble world ; but little of the petty ambition which awaken 
such envy and jealousy ; but little of the restraint that is 
imposed by stiff and artificial rules of courtesy ; but little of 
the gilded pleasures which poison and destroy the soul. He 
quits not the substance to catch at the shadow. He remains 
satisfied so long as his efforts will afford him a competency, 
together with uninterrupted health. 

While mankind, in the early part of the world, were 
chiefly confined to agricultural pursuits, they seemed to be 
more intimately associated with the Deity. With the build- 
ing of towns, all patriarchal wisdom and simplicity was in 
a manner lost. Less attention was paid to those things that 
were the most solemn and important. At length we find 
royalty itself retreating to the solitude of a country life in 
search of happiness. Men became more canting and hy- 
pocritical. They learned to praise where they should cen- 
sure ; to decorate their persons without attending to their 
health ; to increase the splendor of their houses, without re- 
garding the welfare of its inmates ; to gather money, but 
not to enjoy it ; to seek for titles and honorary distinction, 
but not to reflect that honesty is the most praiseworthy 
of them all. 

It is to be regretted that the farmer is often incapable of 
appreciating the advantages to be derived from his situation. 
Ignorance, brutality and superstition, too often blunt the 



172 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

finer feelings of his nature ; eating and drinking to excess 
is perhaps the heighth of his pleasures ; and -when he has 
earned his bread, he feels no desire for the improvement 
and understanding ot his heart. Hear the words of the in- 
spired volume : " Prepare thy work without, and make it 
fit for thyself in the field ; and afterwards build thy house. 5 ' 
Man lives not alone for his food and clothing. He who 
performs no more than this, overlooks the glorious designs 
of his Creator, and places himself on a level with the brute. 
The meanest peasant has the same hope of immortality, as 
the most powerful potentate of the earth. The glittering 
palace and the beggar's hovel, are regarded without distinc- 
tion by. the equal eye of God. Therefore, prepare thy 
work without, and then administer to thy mental wants, 
that thy mind may become more vigorous and active. 

We are not to reproach the farmer for his ignorance, so 
much as the wilful neglect of those who assume the duties of 
monitors, without evincing the least solicitude for the social or 
moral welfare of the former ; and at the same time, in their 
exceeding philanthrophy, look upon his insensibility as a re- 
sult to be expected from the natural order of things. Ob- 
serve those men who control the affairs of the government. 
They consider the husbandman as a public beast of burthen; 
they promote his welfare that they may reinforce their 
armies, or wring from him a greater amount of taxes. Pub- 
lic schools are the last things they would think of establish- 
ing. The education of youth throughout the country, gives 
them but little trouble ; they do not think it worth while to 
arouse a spirit of emulation, by promised donations or le- 
gislative encouragement ; while large premiums are offered 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 173 

for the superior growth of cattle ; which, indeed, they 
make a principal and every day business. 

Such is the power of custom and prejudice, that people 
often persuade themselves that education would make the 
farmer discontented with his lot ; that any knowledge, 
apart from his avocations, would be deleterious in its effects; 
that learning, of right, should not belong to him who is a 
breaker and tiller of the earth. But w T ill any one pretend 
that such inequalities — such gross ignorance — such a per- 
version of the intellectual powers, will have a tendency to 
make him the more industrious, economical, or obedient to 
the laws 1 On the other hand, do they not render him the 
worse husbandman — the more disorderly parent — a faith- 
less and uncertain subject ? That which is corrupt, can 
never be made an auxiliary to good. Look at the youth 
who has been instructed in some of our principal schools 
and colleges. When he has arrived at the age of manhood 
we find him more circumspect in business — more kind and 
benevolent to his fellow-citizens, and more zealous for the 
honor and welfare of his country. 

Jesus Christ, in his sojourn upon the earth, shed abroad 
the light of true wisdom ; not only in the palaces of the 
great, but also in the cottages of the poor. He exposed 
the errors and false conceits of the age— he exhorted every 
one to live in contentment— he instructed us to seek after 
things that are above, and not after those things that are 
below. If we have food and raiment, says the apostle, let 
us be therewith satisfied. 

Wealth is not essential to godliness. The mind must 
15 



174 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

be expanded so that it can comprehend the truth of the 
divine word. Ignorance is the parent of every excess ; it 
feeds alone on brutal pleasures. Only he, whose reason 
and understanding has been enlightened, will be ashamed 
of those vicious and debauched habits that disgrace the 
human character ; he alone will feel a desire to avoid the 
pernicious effects arising from the undue gratification of 
his passions. 

What a melancholy aspect is that of uneducated people 
in general. Their ideas of God are confused and in- 
distinct ; and they understand but little of the end and aim 
of their existence. Children grow up under the discipline 
of ignorant parents ; they become tainted by their corrupt 
example, and confirmed in their superstitious notions. Per- 
haps they are occasionally sent to school, where a teacher, 
without learning or ability, renders his instruction for a 
trifling pittance, for the want of better employment. If 
they learn to read and write; and, together with the acqui- 
sition of these rudiments, they become adepts in every 
species of vice and indecorum ; then they are considered 
sufficiently accomplished. On the Sabbath they are driven 
to church, without any attempts being made to enable 
them to comprehend the sermon. In this respect, how- 
ever, the preacher is often culpable. He is more anxious 
about his salary, than the improvement of those who are 
entrusted to his care. Thus he suffers them to remain in 
their blindness, and contents himself with believing that he 
has performed the sacred functions allotted to him, by ad- 
ministering the sacrament, or pronouncing a few passion- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 175 

less prayers. People thus neglected, think only of laboring 
from morning till night, that they may be more opulent 
than their neighbours. They gratify, without reserve, 
their sensual and wicked inclinations. And at last, when 
they are overtaken by death — when they are about to be 
ushered into an awful eternity ; then they begin to enquire 
for what they have lived. 

Oh, how much there is for christian men to perform. 
Would you assist in building up the kingdom of God? 
Then go to the hovels of the poor, in imitation of the 
Messiah, and light up the spark of intelligence in their 
dark and bewildered minds. To clothe the naked, or to 
feed the hungry, is but the work of a moment ; but to ad- 
minister to their mental and spiritual necessities, is the 
scattering of a seed from which they will reap an eternal 
harvest. If you have wealth, unite it with that of others, 
that you may increase the knowledge and piety of your 
fellow beings. He who has snatched even one soul from 
ruin, has not lived in vain. 



176 HOURS OF DEVOTION, 



THE MECHANIC. 

The Creator in his infinite goodness, has given to the 
beasts and birds, a covering to shield them from the storms; 
and furnished them with the means of self-defence. He 
lias also endowed them with an instinct to provide for their 
own necessities ; while man is sent helpless into the world, 
possessed however, of those capacities, by which he is en- 
abled to make every thing contribute to his own peculiar 
benefit. 

With the refinement of the human intellect, the arts 
and sciences increased in perfection, and became essential 
to the comfort and welfare of man. Mechanics therefore, 
are honoured in all countries, and by all people. They 
are in many respects, a particularly favoured and happy 
portion of the community. They possess neither poverty 
nor riches. If they cannot boast of excessive refinement, 
they are far removed from grovelling ignorance. We find 
among them, generally, the most religion, virtue, rectitude, 
industry, patriotism, and practical good sense. It was 
from among this grade of people, that Jesus Christ chose 
his first disciples. Here he found unaffected piety and 
devotion. They had not the arrogance or presumption of 
the higher, nor the recklessness and degeneracy of the 
lower classes. 

The mechanic, from his being accustomed to procure a 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 177 

subsistence by his own exertions, does not feel the same 
degree of dependance as many others. While the mutila- 
ted warrior, the banished prince, or the man who is unex- 
pectedly deprived of his wealth, are compelled to sue for 
the charity of a cold and unfeeling world ; he, under 
almost any circumstances, can find employment and 
thereby relieve his wants. This advantage causes his life 
to flow smoothly and pleasantly along. He is distinguished 
by a simplicity of behaviour, which imparts to him an ad- 
ditional value, and secures to him universal respect and 
approbation. 

The man, who, through pride, despises his trade or pro- 
fession, and is indifferent to the benefits he may reap from 
them is an enemy to himself. Let us, in the language 
of the apostle, be satisfied with food and raiment. Let us 
not struggle for affluence ; but rather a perfection of heart. 
He who is displeased with one occupation, will be equally 
so with another, because a discontented spirit accompanies 
him. Such individuals sometimes fancy that they possess 
superior abilities, which, in their opinion, eminently qualify 
them for a higher station ; and hence they aspire to posts 
of honor and emolument, without setting any limits to their 
ambition ; when in fact they are barely capable of attend- 
ing to their ordinary business. 

Pious and prudent mechanics will think only of the 
faithful performance of their duties, and if they are gifted 
with a greater degree of intellect than their neighbors, 
they will adapt it to the improvement of their trade, or the 
embellishment of their domestic life. In this way they 
15* 



178 H017BS OF DEVOTION. 

will be certain to -acquire wealth, honour and reputa- 
tion ; while the haughty and self-conceited are ruined by 
their overleaping ambition, and must remain content with 
the scoffs and derision of mankind. The latter, truly verity 
the words of the proverb ; ** Pride goeth before a fall, and 
a haughty spirit before destruction." 

Throughout the country we find almost innumerable 
mechanics who have entirely renounced the prudence of 
their forefathers. As we have before remarked, they are 
ashamed of their calling, and aspire to something which 
they believe to be more respectable. They complain of 
the small amount of their profits, and tell us that much 
more was realized by their predecessors. In this we hear 
the language of pride, avarice and discontent. But there 
is a striking contrast betwen the past and present. Me- 
chanics, in former times, devoted themselves entirely to 
their business, without wishing to become distinguished 
for their learning, literature or politics. He was the most 
respected, and enjoyed the greatest share of confidence, 
who was the most honest, enterprizing and industrious. 

In the present day it is widely different. Those who are 
brought up to mechanical business, too often spend their 
time in other pursuits^ whereby they forfeit the advantages 
they might reasonably hope to obtain. They are anxious 
to grow rich, but they neglect the means by which it is to 
be accomplished. They forget that the first step is frugality 
and contentment. They are fond of splendor and luxury. 
When the labors of the day are at an end, they indulge in 
expensive recreations. To all this, they soon find that 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 179 

their earnings are inadequate, and as a last resort, they 
practice deception, or make an exhorbitant demand for 
their work, until they are without the confidence even of 
their friends. Poverty is the result ; and then we hear 
them bitterly complaining of hard times. 

The education which mechanics frequently give to their 
children, causes them to be discontented. Their youth is 
passed away without labor ; their pride is gratified ; there 
is no indulgence which they do not receive ; and when they 
have arrived at manhood, they are displeased with every 
thing about them ; they blindly engage in various occupa- 
tions, with the expectation of suddenly reaping a fortune ; 
but disappointment follows disappointment, until finally, 
they are overwhelmed in ruin. Others have their sons in- 
structed in the higher branches of learning, believing it 
will better qualify them to gain a subsistence, than any 
mechanical business. But they do not consider that it is 
the integrity, perseverance, and moral firmness of the in- 
dividual, which alone can control his fortune, or insure his 
success, without any regard to his particular profession. 

Similar errors prevail in the education of daughters. 
They are dressed and decorated like those of the rich* 
They are . instructed in the arts of drawing and painting, 
music and dancing, as if their very existence depended 
upon the sketching of a landscape, or their graceful move- 
ments in the ball-room. Instead of improving their minds, 
they are corrupted in many different ways. Thus they are 
prepared for misery. They have flattered themselves that 
their trivial accomplishments will enable them to form a 



180 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

matrimonial alliance with those who are superior to them 
in rank and wealth ; but they do not reflect that the latter 
have the same exalted opinion of themselves, and are also 
looking forward to a similar good fortune. 

If you are anxious to acquire wealth, reputation, and do- 
mestic happiness in the situation in which God hath placed 
you, then do not despise it — but rather be ashamed of your 
vanity, your idleness, your unworthiness. Learn to pur- 
sue your calling with that zeal and industy that will pre- 
vent other persons from excelling you. If your Creator 
has given you peculiar strength and powers of mind, let it 
be your endeavour so to apply them, that you may be the 
most distinguished of all others in your occupation. Then 
you will not be tormented with that jealousy which is com- 
mon to most mechanics, and which often leads to very 
melancholy results. You will have no cause for envy if 
you attend faithfully to the improvement of your abilities, 
and avoid every thing that is not essential to your welfare. 
Only in this way can you accumulate riches. Vain-boast- 
ing makes you ridiculous ; and expenses that do not cor- 
respond with your income, create the suspicion of your 
neighbors ; but economy will never fail to establish their 
confidence in your well doing. Plain furniture and simple 
nourishment brings no shame ; but unpaid debts, arising 
from extravagance, is a disgrace. A fashionable dress will 
procure you no reputation ; but the quiet and exemplary 
habits of your domestic life, will gradually build you up in 
the good opinion of your friends. 

Always endeavour to live consistently with your rank 



HOtJRS OF DEVOtlOK. 181 

and fortune. He who heedlessly squanders all that he 
earns, will find himself a beggar if he should be overtaken 
by any unexpected misfortune. Educate your children 
with care and fidelity. Warn them against the imprudence 
and danger, of encouraging a too lofty and arrogant spirit. 
Accustom them, at an early age, to useful labor ; but do 
not on that account, neglect the improvement of their 
minds. Indulge them not in pleasures and enjoyments* 
which they will not hereafter be likely to procure by their 
owe exertions ; and remember, that piety is the foundation 
of every good. Without this all your trouble will be in 
vain. 

When we see a mechanic, regularly employed at his 
work during the week ; and upon the Sabbath occupying 
his seat in the church, instead of resorting to the tavern, 
or mingling with riotous assemblies, we may safely con* 
elude that he is far removed from poverty or want. 

When there is no fear of God, there can be but little 
prosperity. Then will industry be without its reward, 
and enterprise without profit. What the hand gathers, is 
consumed in dissipation. The love and fear of God is the 
beginning of all wisdom ; it keeps alive our benevolence 
towards our unhappy brethren — it gives us courage in dan- 
ger and difficulty — it renders us comparatively cheerful in 
the severest suffering : and in death, it fills us with a bless- 
ed and certain hope of a glorious immortality. What is 
all the wealth and reputation that the world can afford, in 
comparison to a treasure like this ? 



182 HOURS OF DEVOTIOX* 



PHILANTHROPES. 

If a stranger visits us, we offer ourselves as guides, to 
conduct him through our towns. We show him our sanctu- 
aries, and our charitable institutions. We inform him that 
these were established by the benevolence of our forefathers. 
We lead our children before the statues of great and dis- 
tinguished men. and while we recount their glorious deeds, 
we feel the fire of emotion secretly kindling in our hearts. 
Here is one who perished in the field of battle : and another 
who died a martyr to his religious opinions. Yonder is the 
statesman, who enjoyed the highest honours of his country ; 
but dwindled away in poverty, after having sacrificed every 
thing for the welfare of his fellow-citizens. The scholar, 
too, claims our attention. His days and nights were con- 
sumed in scientific researches. His wealth— his friends ; 
every thing, in short, w T as given up, that he might confer 
honour upon his country. We are ever ready to proclaim 
the greatness of a by-gone age. We dwell with pride upon 
the heroic actions of a former period. We speak of our 
ancestors as a different and more exalted race. And who 
were they, that they should be so highly extolled ? Were 
they more nobly descended than we ? Did they possess 
any inherent qualities of the mind that to us are denied? 
Were they not the same perishing mortals that mankind are, 
and ever will be? Then, why is it that we do not emulate 
their virtues ; their prudence ; their patriotism ,* their philan* 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 193 

throphy ? Were they richer than we, that they should build 
assylums for the destitute ? or establish academies for the 
education of the poor ? or had they greater facilities than 
we enjoy, of increasing their intelligence, their wisdom, or 
their piety ? One thing, however, is morally certain ; and 
that is, that they practised a greater degree of philanthro- 
phy. If we look around upon mankind, how few will we 
observe who imitate their example; who are animated with 
the same love for their fellow beings. 

Whence arises this degeneracy of the present day 1 Why 
has religion become a mockery ? Why are thrones tottering 
and crumbling to dust, or nations on the verge of ruin and 
desolation ? Is it not owin°; to the selfishness of man ? 
This, indeed, is the prolific source of innumerable evils. 
It destroys the bonds that should unite friends and kindred 
together. It divides and separates the members of a com- 
munity, the moment they are subject to its influence. The 
man who comes within the limits of its controul, heeds not 
the distresses of complaining millions, provided his own de- 
sires are gratified. Selfishness keeps alive the flame of 
mutual hate and discord between families ; and renders 
them indifferent to every thing but their own immediate 
welfare. One has but little regard for the other. They 
will not assist in time of public distress, if it is not, ultimate- 
ly, for their own advantage. If a personal sacrifice is 
demanded for the good of the country, their murmurmgs 
are heard above all others. They despise their connexions 
who are struggling with poverty ; and envy those who are 
more fortunate than themselves. But in affliction they will 
again be united in harmony and friendship. Then they no 



184 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

longer are influenced by their prejudices. They learn that 
one is dependant upon the other ; that individual selfishness 
will bring destruction upon the whole. Behold the hardy 
seamen who are threatened with shipwreck ! — whatever may 
have been their previous dissensions, they now forget them 
all, and combine their efforts for each others preservation. 
Through the medium of tribulation, domestic peace is re- 
established, and that happiness is built up which was so un- 
thinkingly destroyed. 

But what, may we inquire, is to be understood by phiian- 
throphy? u Whosoever will be great among you," says 
Christ to his disciples, " shall be your minister. And who- 
soever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 
For even the son of man came not to be ministered unto, 
but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." 
Philanthrophy, therefore, may be considered as a perpetu- 
al, unwearying desire, to promote, as far as possible, the 
general welfare of mankind, even though it should prove 
a personal sacrifice. If this love was more prevalent in 
society, there would be fewer chances of unhapptness. We 
should then be blended together as a peaceable brotherhood ; 
as a great and harmonious family, without pride, envy or 
jealousy to disturb our tranquillity. 

If you would be philanthropic, you must reflect how you 
can best render your assistance^ so as to be of the greatest 
benefit to those who may require your support. You 
must constantly add to your stores of knowledge, and use 
every honourable means to increase your wealth. The 
more you possess of either, the greater are your opportuni- 
ties to become useful. 



HOURS OP DEVOTION. 185 

When you are about to perform the part of a philan- 
thropist, do not conclude that you must necessarily neglect 
your own private business, to engage in the work of be- 
nevolence ; but let it rather be a warning to prepare your- 
self, by degeees, for the fulfilment of a beneficent inclination. 
Without this, you yourself may become a burden to others. 
Do not suppose that your prayers, alone, can effect the 
happiness of your fellow beings. Christ and his apostles 
prayed for us all; but they did not rest content with this; 
they travelled through the country healing the sick, and in- 
structing the ignorant. When we have acquired enough to 
satisfy our own wants, then it should be our duty to attend 
to those of others. All this the christian will perform in a 
quiet and unassuming manner. " And when thou prayest," 
says the saviour " thou shalt not be as hypocrite are : for they 
love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners 
of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say 
unto you, they have their reward." 

Philanthrophy always implies a certain sacrifice, because 
it cannot be exercised without more or less self-denial. It di- 
rects us to the peace and well doing of our acquaintances and 
friends, while we partially overlook ourselves. It urges us 
to devote our time and property to the common good of our 
country. 

Let us travel back to ages that have past, and observe 
the characters of those venerable and worthy men, who 
have long since gone down to the tomb ; men, who fought 
and bled for the liberty we now enjoy; who voluntaiily 
suffered every privation that they might purchase happiness 
for their fellow men. Their names are recorded by the 
16 



136 HOUKS OF DEVOTION. 

ever living God ; and their philanthropic deeds are carried 
down to posterity, and transmitted to future generations. 

A man may not have it in his power to imitate in every 
respect, the great and good actions of his prototypes ; still 
he is not prevented from exercising a certain degree of be- 
nevolence. If he is a competitor for an office, and sees 
among his rivals one who is more active and intelligent 
than himself; one who is likely to discharge the duties of 
th,e station with more zeal, ability, and advantage to the 
country, he will, if he is governed by laudable motives, re- 
sign his claim, and not aspire to that distinction for which 
he is not fitted. If there is a scheme proposed for the 
amelioration of some public or private calamity, he will 
cheerfully offer his assistance. He will not stop to inquire 
what honour it may confer upon him, or what advantage he 
may personally derive ; but immediately identify himself 
with the cause of suffering humanity, and afford relief by his 
timely interposition. This is that pure philanthrophy — that 
nobleness of soul, which will always be recognized as a 
primary excellence of the human character. If war has 
laid waste the country — if she is thrown into some unex- 
pected difficulty, we hear the selfish man continually mur- 
muring in consequence of the pecuniary losses he must 
necessarily sustain ; while in such an extremity, the philan- 
throphist is willing to make every possible sacrifice for the 
public good. He limits his expenses, and substitutes water 
for wine ; a crust of bread for costly dishes ; and if he 
complain at all, it is because of the sufferings of his fellow 
creatures. 

The philanthropist does not ask to be rewarded for his 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 187 

generosity. He is not influenced by any sordid motives. 
He exerts himself cheerfully for the good of mankind. If 
God has given him wealth, he willingly appropriates a part 
of it for the relief and education of the poor, or some other 
equally charitable purpose. 

Let us all imitate the example of our celestial pattern, 
Jesus Christ, who expiated his life upon the cross, for the 
redemption and happiness of all who believe in his name. 
Then w@ will not be tormented by a guilty and upbraiding 
conscience. We will feel the blessed assurance that our 
lives have been spent in usefulness ; and when we die, it 
will be with the joyful hope of inheriting the kingdom of 
eternal glory. 



188 H0T7RS OF DEVOTION. 



NIGHT. 

Silent and solemn night ! Thou art ever sacred to my 
feelings ! Thou art the benefactress of the afflicted, whose 
tears thou driest f Thou art the friend of the unfortunate 
whose sorrows are forgotten in thy gentle dreams ! Thou 
art the mother of the weary, who seek to repose in thy 
arms, and receive from thee new life and vigor. Thou art 
an evidence of the majesty and power of God — of his un- 
fathomable wisdom, and ineffable goodness ! 

Thou art worthy of my meditations ; for by thy enchant- 
ment, the whole universe, as far as the eye can reach, is 
changed. With thy shadows, sleep falls upon the world. 
At thy approach, a myriad of stars are seen to glitter in 
the firnament, before to us invisible. 

Where is the man who remains unmoved, when he walks 
forth in the solitary night, and beholds innumerable worlds 
spread out before him ? when the stillness of death reigns 
in the streets, which, but a few hours before, were alive 
with the throng and bustle of the crowd? when the gar- 
dens, and groves, and habitations of men are silent ? when 
the trees, and the flowers, are enveloped in darkness, or 
seen in the pale and uncertain light of the moon? The 
soul shudders with an involuntary fear. There are none 
who do not feel an inexplicable awe creeping over them at 
a time like this. What thoughts — what feelings crowd 
upon the mind ! How insignificant would appear the earth, 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 189 

if she did not receive a charm from the splendors of the 
midnight heavens ! Where is the strength of the mighty 
chief, when weariness comes upon him, and he is bound in 
the arms of sleep ? What are all the riches of the earth, 
when their possessor, like unto one that is dead, slumbers, 
unconscious of them all ? 

Thus it is, that night disposes us to serious meditations. 
It collects the wandering and distracted mind, and forces it 
into a common with itself. The solemnity of night inclines 
the fickle to useful and salutary reflections — it has recalled 
many a skeptic to faith in the ever living God — and many a 
scoffing sinner to the paths of rectitude and virtue. 

As in every season of the year, so at different periods 
of each revolving day, the deity is made manifest in a pecu- 
liar and varied manner. The freshness of morning, the 
splendors of noon, the calmness of evening, and the ma- 
jesty of night, are all the result of his beneficence. 
Every thing that we behold ; the air, the earth and the 
waters; the rocks, the hills and the valleys, and every 
living thing, proclaim to us the wisdom and omnipotence 
of an all wise Creator. Then, weak and discontented mortal, 
cease thy attachment to things that are terrestrial, and con- 
template the grandeur and sublimity of the eternal. At 
all times, and under every circumstance, remember that 
thou art destined for a higher sphere than that of the brute— 
that thou shall not live for the body alone, but chiefly for 
the spirit. 

At night, the love of the diety is made known to us in 
many different ways. When the sun leaves our horizon, 
16* 



190 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

to light the other half of the globe, every thing sinks into 
tranquillity that nothing may disturb our rest. The uni- 
versal darkness that reigns over the face of nature, is fa- 
vourable to our slumbers. Nothing distracts the mind, or 
arrests our attention. As we remove a light from the cradle 
of the infant, or the bed of the invalid, or quiet a noise that 
might break in upon their repose, so does the paternal care 
of God watch over the slumbers of his children, and take 
them all into his friendly protection. The faculties that 
were impaired, are now restored to their wonted vigor ; and 
the body that was languishing, is strengthened and pre- 
pared for its ordinary duties. 

When nature invites us lo repose, we should attend to 
her request. No one can disobey her laws with impunity. 
Nothing destroys the health so speedily, as the wilful 
changing of night into day, and the consequent deprivation 
of rest at the proper time. When the sun disappears, the 
state of the atmosphere is sensibly changed, and many of 
the plants fold up their leaves and flowers. The animals 
grow weary, and conceal themselves in their lairs. The 
blood of the healthiest man is more excited, and his nerves 
irritable. The situation of the sick is also more critical ; 
they manifest a greater degree of langour and restlessness. 

Long and oft-repeated vigils, from an inordinate love of 
amusement, is an infallible method of shortening life. The 
mind is less acute, in consequence of the body being relax - 
'ed and overcome by unnecessary exertions. The bloom 
departs from our cheeks. The pallied features and lustre- 
less eye, too plainly show that w r e have been sinning against 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 191 

the laws of nature. Sinning, did we say ? It is indeed a 
truth, that we grievously sin against our Creator, and set at 
nought his precepts, when we ruin ourselves by dissipation, 
and thereby number our days upon the earth. Yet, so fool- 
ish is man, that he, for the gratification of his senses, will 
devote the midnight-hour to unhallowed revelry, at the 
risk of prematurely falling a victim to his excesses, or 
dragging a diseased and infirm body to the grave. 

The christian fully appreciates the blessings which he 
receives at the hands of his maker. After a well spent day, 
how refreshing to him are the slumbers of the night ! He 
is forbearing in his judgment of those who needlessly waste 
those hours in rioting, that should be appropriated to their 
rest. He pays a strict regard to that inestimable jewel — 
health — without which he feels conscious he would be un- 
fit for any useful enterprize. Are we accountable to God 
fox the proper use and management of those blessings, which 
he has allotted to us while sojourners here* below ? Then the 
preservation of our life and health is an awful responsi- 
bility. 

As night throws a shadow upon every object, and re- 
moves each obstacle that might disturb our repose, so 
should we banish from our minds every tumultuous passion. 
With the garments of which we divest ourselves on retir- 
ing to rest, we should also endeavor to renounce the cares 
and anxieties of the day, that we may attend only to the 
things of the Lord. A clear conscience, and the assurance 
that God will watch over and protect us, prepares for us a 
downy pillow. We again return into all the weakness and 



192 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

insensibility of infancy. Before the hand of God quicken- 
ed us into life — before our lips were taught to lisp his name, 
he prepared us for happiness beyond our hope or anticipa- 
tion. With thee, O Lord, " the night shineth as the day: 
the darkness and the light are both alike to thee". Thine 
eyes did see me yet being imperfect, and in thy book all 
my days were written that were to be, when as yet there 
was none of them.* 

Fear and anxiety is unbecoming the Christian. Men 
often suffer themselves to be tormented, during the night, 
by phantoms that are conjured up by their own distorted 
imaginations ; but all these the pious man will prudently 
avoid. What ? can it be supposed that he who watches 
over us through the day, will forsake us in the vigils of the 
still night? Why, at this hour, do we tremble at the 
thoughts of hell? or fancy that we can almost hear the 
groans and agonies of the damned ? Why do we tremble 
with the fear of apparitions, that are only the inventions 
of w r eak and ignorant men? Why do we imagine the re- 
turn of a departed spirit, whose body has long been moul- 
dered into dust ? Is it not the effect of a badly disciplined 
mind ? It may be said, however, when darkness has spread 
her mantle upon the earth, that the eye no longer can ren- 
der its accustomed services — that every unusual noise pro- 
duces a vague and inexplicable terror— a sort of despond- 
ency ; and therefore, danger is easily apprehended, where, 
in reality none exists. There are many persons, notwith- 

* Psalms, cxxx'x. 16. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 193 

standing the clearness of their intellect — their religion — 
their rational ideas of the Deity; and we might add, their 
entire disbelief of apparitions, who are, at the same time, 
greatly annoyed by superstitious terrors at the approach 
of night. This can only be occasioned by pernicious im- 
pressions, that were allowed to fasten upon the mind in early 
youth. It becomes therefore, a sacred and paramount duty 
of parents, not to increase, either directly or indirectly, 
the superstition of their children. It is a common and 
very dangerous practice to relate frightful stories in their 
presence ; or to awe them into submission, by threatening 
them with some supernatural appearance. These things 
are written indellibly in their memory, and when they 
arrive at the age of maturity, they find with all their rea- 
son and philosophy, they cannot wholly eradicate them. 

When parents are careful to improve the understanding 
of their children, then their bigotry, in a measure, will 
cease. Those who have been brought up in ignorance, are 
the most likely to imbibe superstitious opinions ; and to 
adhere tenaciously to them. 

There is another error, peculiar even to the well-inform- 
ed, that may be comprehended in our present subject. It 
is that of dreams, and the undue importance which is fre- 
quently attached to their interpretation. Who, of common 
sense, will ascribe to them a prophetic power ? Whence 
came this belief among christians ? It is a relic of the 
dark and barbarous ages. But who for a moment will 
suppose that we are enabled by our nightly visions to fore- 
tell future events ? It would be in contradiction of God 



194 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

himself. It is in direct opposition to reason and revela- 
tion. 

It is certainly probable, among the variety of our dreams, 
that some of them may seem to be the precursors of events 
that follow. This might incline a weak minded person to 
the belief, that they are sure presages of good or evil. It 
would, however, be still more remarkable, if, among the 
innumerable fancies that flit through the brain while we 
are asleep, none of them should bear a resemblance to sub- 
sequent occurrences. 

In the sacred writings, mention is frequently made of 
wonderful dreams, whereby God "made revelation" of 
himself, but to all others we are expressly commanded to 
pay no attention. " If," says Moses, " there arise among 
you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a 
sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to 
pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, let us go after 
other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve 
them ; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that pro- 
phet, or that dreamer of dreams : for the Lord your God 
proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God 
with all your heart, and with all your soul." Shall we, 
therefore, blindly adhere to those errors that are disproved 
by the word of God ? Shall we thus abuse our imagina= 
tions 1 Shall we endeavour to establish a coincidence be- 
tween our dreams and actual events, instead of endeavour- 
ing to trace the latter to natural causes ? 

Far from me, at least, be such degradation ! — such a 
perversion of the understanding ! Far from me be all su- 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 195 

perstitious terrors that are engendered by the night. God 
dwelleth in eternal light ; before him there is no darkness. 
His love and care for me are at all hours the same. I will 
confide in his goodness, and then the night will be clothed 
in light. 



196 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



PATRIOTISM AND DEATH. 

Behold the graves of the illustrious dead, who delivered 
their country from bondage. Let them slumber peacefully 
on. Their blood has not flowed in vain. The sacrifice of 
their lives has restored liberty to the community ; and 
while their bodies are reposing in the earth, millions are 
rejoicing over the victory they have achieved. 

Let us go to the house of mourning. There we shall hear 
the lamentations of a disconsolate family. A sister has 
been deprived of a brother ; a wife of a husband : a mother 
of a son. Their cheeks are pale and haggard with weeping. 
They wring their hands in the wildness and agony of 
despair. But why should they mourn for those who have 
died upon the field of battle 1 They are dwellers in the 
courts above, where, in a few fleeting years, the friends 
they have left behind, will be re-united with them. 

Our entrance into, and exit from the world, are matters 
of necessity. Thousands are daily perishing ; but it excites 
but little attention, because it is the inevitable fate of all. 
Death, however, in many instances ceases to be indiffer- 
ent—its aspect is materially changed, either by the vices or 
magnanimity of the deceased. The execution of a mur- 
derer — the death of a voluptuary— or the suicide of a de- 
bauchee, fill us with horror and disgust. Their existence 
is prematurely terminated by atrocious crimes. They are 



HOTTRS Of DEVOTION. \9l 

without sympathy; and every one would involuntarily 
shudder at the thought of sharing a similar fate. With far 
other feelings were member the man who courageously offer- 
ed up his life in defence of his rights, his honor, or his inno- 
cence. We cannot but admire him, notwithstanding our 
regret for his untimely end. His virtues are recorded in 
our memory. His example has a beneficial influence upon 
society, although the sacrifice was entirely for himself. 
The ardor with which he combatted injustice and oppres- 
sion is praiseworthy, notwithstanding it may have confer- 
ed but little advantage upon others : but it is more difficult 
for one to exert himself in like manner, for the happiness 
of a friend. He who encounters death with such a motive, 
is worthy of the highest praise. Therefore it is that we 
honor him who resolutely springs into the boiling flood to 
save the life of a fellow creature. Few men are capable 
of performing such a magnanimous part, even for one of 
their most intimate connexions. On the contrary they are 
so degraded and parsimonious, that it is the smallest num- 
ber who are willing to contribute a mite from their abun- 
dance, to alleviate the sufferings of those who are daily 
perishing before their eyes. 

If the risking of life, in order to save a single person 
from danger or destruction is deserving of such commenda- 
tion, how much more so is it when voluntarily offered for 
the well being of a whole country — friends as well as 
foes-- men, women and children of whom we know nothing 
about. It is as glorious as the opposite extreme — cow- 
ardice, is contemptible. Behold the traitor and coward, 
17 



198 SOURS OF DEVOTION. 

how they are hooted and hissed by the crowd. The former 
is not only despised by his countrymen—but also by those 
who were benefitted by his treachery. But the brave and 
heroic warrior is honored even by his bitterest enemies. 

We ought, says the apostle, to lay down our lives for our 
brethern. Our saviour, by his own death, has furnished us 
the example. But we can only imitate it to a certain de- 
gree. He did not die the infamous death of the cross for 
one person— nor a particular community of people— but for 
the whole human race. 

What can be more laudable than the efforts of the patriot 
who struggles against the oppression of a tyrannical power, 
that seeks to overwhelm him and his country in ruin ? At 
the price of his own blood, he purchases, inch by inch, 
that liberty which he hopes to transmit, unimpaired, to pos- 
terity. Such a man has gloriously fulfilled his duties or^ 
earth — and he will not be without his reward. His death 
ennobled a life that was, perhaps, hitherto almost unnoticed* 
He gave, in his last moments, an evidence of that power 
that lay concealed within him. His slumbering energies 
were called into action. He may have been careless of him- 
self, and indifferent to others, but the hour of peril filled his 
soul with courage and intrepidity. He takes up the pano- 
ply of war, and all his former defects are forgotten in his 
subsequent brilliant exploits. He is justly the pride of all 
who behold him ; and the multitude go out to meet him on 
his way, and strew flowers in his path. Therefore has it 
beaome proverbial, that he who nobly dies in the defence of 
his country, throws an oblivion mantle over the deeds of 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 199 

a previously ill spent life. He may be compared to the 
splendors of a sunset, that succeeds a gloomy and tempestu- 
ous day. He requires no idle ceremonies — no high sound- 
ing epithets — no jargon of senseless and unmeaning praise — 
no proud monument, to perpetuate his name, or keep him 
alive in the remembrance of the people. He has been con- 
secrated by his own blood — and his death becomes the 
pride and glory of the whole nation. The recollection of 
his valor adds to its further security. Enemies will respect 
a people who have had such a fearless champion of their 
rights. His virtues never die- — they are transmitted from 
one generation to another. 

The warriors have preformed their duty. By their ex- 
ertions — their self sacrificing love and patriotism, we are 
free — we now expect the renewal of our happiness and 
prosperity ; and the establishment of a permanent peace. 
Let us not forget the tribute that is due to the memory of 
those who periled their lives for our welfare and glory. 
Not heartless and qualified admiration — not a whining and 
mawkish sorrow — not cold and artificial eulogy ; — no ! 
none of these ; but gratitude — gratitude made manifest by 
every word and action — gratitude that springs from the 
depths of the soul. We will give them from that abund- 
ance which they have heaped upon us : we will not fail, at 
least, to give them in proportion to the enjoyments their 
heroism has obtained for us. Let not their names sink in 
oblivion. Honor their memory ! but not alone by magnifi- 
cent statues and mausoleums : they may be broken down 
and scattered upon the earth. We should rather look about 
us for their widows and orphans, and instead of lavishing 



500 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

our munificence for monumental inscriptions, appropriate it 
for their comfort and support. Show them the marks o/ 
love and affection, which we believe is due their husbands 
and fathers, who maintained the rights of their country, 
even unto death. 

This was the custom of a former age, after a glorious 
and successful war. In this way a love of country was 
enkindled in every heart — and nations rose in dignity and 
power. But gratitude and veneration soon disappeared be- 
fore the sweeping march of envy. She spared neither the 
living nor the dead. She aimed her poisoned arrows at all 
within her reach. She was ever ready to pluck the laurels 
from the hero's brow, and trample virtue in the dust. Pa- 
triotism was gradually diminished. There were mercenary 
troops— but no inspired warriors, impatient for the contest. 
The government was maliciously censured — but cheerful 
obedience to the laws seemed to be a matter of but little im- 
portance. Factions arose without any definite arm. Em- 
pires were crushed ; and nations broken up. Finally, we 
behold a change. One extremity produces another — and 
when a people have reached the lowest point of misery 
and degradation, there is a reaction— a building up anew of 
what they themselves have destroyed. 

As the gratitude of a noble mind evinces itself for a bene- 
factor, so should that of a nation be manifested for her de- 
liverers. But if it is publicly refused — if there is an 
apathy —a coldness — freezing up the current of affection 
and veneration ; then the Christian must be more alive to 
his duty— he must shake off that insensibility that is chilling 
every thing in its course. He cannot be prevented from 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 201 

obeying the manly and generous impulses of his nature, al- 
though the world may sink back into barbarism. He can- 
not be deprived of those feelings with which piety and 
patriotism^ inspire him. He will give advice, assistance, 
and comfort to those who require them. He will protect 
the widows and the orphans of those that fell heroically in 
the struggle for liberty. For thy security, O christian friend, 
the warrior shed his blood. Thou art blessed with pros- 
perity — thou art surrounded with thy family, and every 
thing that can make life agreeable ; but thou owest them 
to those who underwent the fatigues and perils of war. 
Had they deserted thee — had they left thy property as a 
spoil to some infuriate conqueror, where would have been 
all thy boasted peace ? Would thy gardens have bloomed 
with the same flowers ? would thy fields have smiled with 
the same verdure? would thy children have gathered around 
thee with the same laughing and joyous exultation ? They, 
indeed, have laid down their lives — their every thing for 
thy sake ; and all the respect and benevolence thou canst 
show to the friends and kindred they have left behind them, 
will, after all, be but -a poor equivalent for the sacrifices 
they have made* 



17* 



%$2 HOURS OF DEVOTIOPf. 



HARMONY AMONG CITIZENS. 

People who live in discord, one with another, prepare the 
way to their own destruction. They are, in truth, but lit- 
tle better than slaves. They would establish their own wel- 
fare upon the ruins of their country. This discord, arising 
from pride or selfishness, effectually tends to destroy the 
fabric of government in whatever form it may exist, and 
to deliver over a people, an easy prey, to their enemies. 

Such was the fate of the Jews. Moses led them from 
the bondage of the Egyptians ; but their dissensions soon, 
involved them in new captivity — and at last under the op- 
pression of the Romans, they were but little better than 
vassals. Their city was broken down— and they became 
wandering outcasts upon the earth, without a home or 
country. This people, by their vicissitudes, still more clear- 
ly establishes the truth ; that it is easier to break the 
shackles of oppression, than afterwards to maintain an in- 
dependance. How powerful and victorious were the arms 
of David ! how rich and flourishing the people in the reign 
©f Solomon ! But their prosperity engendered luxury and 
pride — these again, the enmity and dissonance of the tribes. 
They separated — became violent enemies, and freely shed 
each other's blood. They spurned the laws - disregarded 
oath* — and were more willing to confederate with other- 
powers, than to remain united among themselves. " The 



Hours of devotion. 20$ 

earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof,"— says 
the prophet Isaiah " because they have transgressed the 
laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting coven- 
ant; Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and 
they that dwell therein are desolate : therefore the in* 
habitants of the earth are burned, and few men left." 
These words were spoken in reference to the Jews, but they 
are equally applicable to all nations, and more particularly, 
in the present century, to our own immediate country. The 
desolation of war is not yet at an end — and if harmony 
does not prevail— if there is not a common aim, and a com- 
mon interest, that is held inviolable by all ; we must perish ; 
ruin must overwhelm us, and our history be blotted out 
from the annals of nations. But the words of Isaiah seems 
19 be spoken in vain. They cannot quell the madness of 
rebelling passions. His wisdom is as foolishness to th« 
leaders of a faction, who assume to be acting in accordance 
with the dictates of prudence ; who set at nought the wel- 
fare and happiness of the public ; and who contemptuously 
reject the truths that are taught by the experience of by 
gone ages. 

What has been obtained by the blessings of providence, 
in a national point of view, can only be preserved by the 
public harmony of citizens. It is in vain we flatter ourselves 
that all danger is over ; that no new change is to be appre- 
hended ; or that we may give ourselves up, unreservedly, to 
pleasure. The fortunes of a community are eternally vary- 
ing.- A trifling incident may work a spirit of change in 
society and government— a change that may have a fearful 
influence upon the destinies of millions. He who left him- 



204 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

self to the vain conceit, that security was certain, may now 
deplore his simple credulity. What was gained by unanim- 
ity, is now destroyed by contention. 

Discord is destructive of power. The weak may some- 
times gain a victory over the strong; while mighty em- 
pires are crushed even as the moth, if they are perfidious 
to themselves. 

He who feels a pride in being the member of a commu- 
nity that commands the respect of the world-— that has 
gloriously maintained its rights in the heat and noise of 
battle ;— he who values his domestic happiness, and knows 
it cannot be attained only through the welfare of the whole 
people, will strenuously exert himself to advance publk 
harmony, and keep alive the germs of patriotism. There- 
fore the most obscure individual should not look upon him* 
self as utterly insignificant, or ask what he can effect in 
opposition to the will of others. We hear a number of 
questions propounded by the pseudo lover of his country* 
How can I> alone, stem the current of public opinion ? What 
would it avail, were I to sacrifice myself, while those around 
me persevere in their selfishness? Would I not bring 
down ruin upon my own head ? Would I not be derided ? 
Would I not be singled out as a victim for the shafts of 
contempt and ridicule ? Such a man is a monster in so- 
ciety. He suffers himself to be awed into silence by the 
judgment of base and designing men, and makes use of 
their depravity as a veil for his own faults. 

Let us be unto our own country, what we are to our- 
selves; ever ready to advance her interests — always de- 



notms of Devotion. 205 

vising some new method to increase her welfare, and at all 
times prepared to defend her from any innovation upon her 
rights. Have a particular regard to public and private 
devotion. Carefully remove every opposing obstacle. One 
of the greatest impediments is mutual jealousy and dis- 
trust that too often exists between man and man, as well 
as particular portions of the community. It is a mean, 
selfish pride— a fancied superiority, destructive of equality, 
and terminating in ignominy. 

The ambitious man, to accomplish his low desires, wan* 
toniy abuses his neighbor who stands higher in the estima^ 
tion of the public than himself. Families of wealth and 
rank have recourse to every little expedient to distinguish 
themselves, one above the other. It would seem, indeed $ 
as if their whole time was taken up in striving who shall 
have the finest equipage, the most extensive park, or mag- 
nificent country seat; but they seldom evince much rivalr 
ship in their contributions to the poor, or the diminution 
of any public burthen. There are innumerable causes 
that lessen the harmony that should exist among citizens, 
and prove destructive to social and civil order. It is the 
province of the good man, carefully to examine into their^ 
nature and results, and as far as is practicable, to correct 
the evil. 

Man from his infancy, is undergoing a continual change. 
Every succeeding day dev elopes some new trait in his 
character or disposition. So it is with people in different 
ages. Their customs and habits are different. Herein we 
may trace the features of a government. It does not for 



206 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

a long time remain the same. It assumes new aspects. 
At one time it is oppressive—at another 5 liberal. It can- 
not be accommodated to all classes. One complains of its 
extravagance — another, of its rigid economy. And all this 
is owing to a want of harmonious feeling among its mem- 
bers. 

The lover of his country, therefore, if he understand his 
duty, will endeavor to promote public order, and discoun- 
tenance popular commotions. If heavy taxes for a time, 
are necessary for the common welfare, he will urge his 
fellow citizens cheerfully and mutually to assist in support- 
ing the burthen, that it may, thereby, be the more easily 
sustained. He will invoke the Father of mercies to aid 
him in suppressing tumult and disorder, wherever they 
may be found, and to substitute harmony and love, for jea- 
lousy and hatred. 



HOUES OF DEVOTION. 207 



THE CALAMITIES OF NATIONS. 

Is there a God who watches over, and governs the 
hearts of men ? And if so, why is there such dreadful 
havoc between nations ? Why are thousands of innocent 
beings wantonly sacrificed by fierce and unrelenting men ? 
What error has been committed by the industrious laborer, 
that he must loose in a single hour, the property he has 
been toiling for years to accumulate ? W r hat is the crime 
of the tender infant, that it must fall a victim to the direst 
cruelty ? Why is it that the villain, without a single re- 
deeming virtue, prospers in many of his undertakings? 

How unsearchable are the ways of providence ! Fleets 
are sunk in the ocean, and their crews perish, while, per- 
haps, their friends — far— far away, are offering up prayers 
for their safety, or looking anxiously for their return. An 
earthquake swallows up villages and towns; and the 
righteous as well as the wicked, sink into one common 
grave. The most flourishing countries are scattered by the 
iron hand of war, and the unpitying sword reeks with the 
blood of the innocent as well as the guilty. Why should 
such things be ? Some have said, that out of our misfor- 
tunes, happiness will accrue to our posterity. But can there 
be truth in this ? Must our wounds bleed, that those who 
follow us may know no pain ? Must we shed tears of an- 
guish, that a future generation may live in peace and tran- 



208 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

quility t Or would there be any consolation in believing that 
our moments glide the more blissfully along, because our 
ancestors endured misery and wretchedness ? Who can 
answer? Who can unlock the secrets that meet us on every 
side ? A thousand questions crowd upon my mind ! I know 
what I have already experienced, but what is there yet in 
store for me? Can I protect myself from the disturber of 
my peace ? Can I overcome the might of injustice and op- 
pression ? If I am comparatively happy, why are thousands, 
more virtuous than myself, writhing with the agony of grief 
and affliction ? Do w ? e not behold relentless destiny stalking 
through the earth, and destroying the beautiful and the 
pure, as well as the vicious and corrupt? As it regards our 
earthly existence, how inexplicable is the past ! and how 
uncertain the future ! But let us prepare ourselves to ex- 
claim with Paul : " we are troubled on every side, yet not 
distressed ; we are perplexed, but not in despair." 

It may be that we have not courage enough to enable 
us to meet the trials and difficulties of life without despair. 
But we can avail ourselves of that energy, that patience, 
that resignation, which comes alone from God. He will 
give us strength to bear up in every misfortune, so that, 
like the apostle, we need not despond, although we are 
perplexed. 

Although the dispensations of providence may appear 
unjust, still it is not for us to weigh them in the scale with 
our weak and erring judgment. The limited mind of man 
cannot comprehend the ways of Him who rules the uni- 
verse — him to whom nations are but as a shadow— -worlds 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 209 

only as atoms, and eternity as a speck. Who knows the 
will of the Almighty, that they dare censure him as un- 
just ? The inexperienced child may often condemn its 
pardnts for those things which it will subsequently acknow- 
ledge to have been intended for its good. Shall a father 
or mother renounce their authority on account of the 
prejudices of their children? Or can they always satis- 
factorily explain why they cannot, in every instance, ac- 
cede to their requests 1 Thus it is with the whole human 
family considered as children of the Most High. Kingdoms 
are subject to his control as well as the meanest beggar. 
Without his knowledge the worm cannot die, nor a sparrow 
fall to the ground. We must not unthinkingly call in ques- 
tion his wisdom and mercy ; but compare ourselves to the 
child, who thinks that its parents exercise unnecessary 
severity. 

The evil that may befal a nation, comes from the hand 
of the creator. But it is arrogant to suppose that the suf- 
ferings which a people are compelled to endure, is a visita- 
tion for their sins. A scourge, however dreadful, that may 
be laying waste the earth, is not to be regarded as a punish- 
ment from the hand of God. We cannot comprehend his 
designs. It is presumption, therefore, to say that this or 
that country deserve their afflictions, because they are 
wicked or disobedient. Were these the faults of the quiet, 
industrious and unoffending citizen, whose house was burnt 
to the ground ? Was the old and venerable man, a bene- 
factor, perchance, of his people, criminal in any of his ac- 
18 



210 HOtTRS OF DEVOTION. 

tions, that he must perish by the unmerciful sword ? Those 
devastations that are produced by war, famine, or disease, 
instead of being manifestations of the divine wrath, will be 
regarded by the intelligent as a means of ultimately promo- 
ting our welfare. 

Men are frequently the authors of their own calamities. 
They may enervate themselves by luxury — or loose the 
confidence of their friends by perfidy. In such instances 
they must only censure themselves. But misery that springs 
from another source, must be patiently endured. God does 
every thing for the best. If we are engaged in war, it un- 
doubtedly brings upon us many misfortunes. But in what 
do they consist ? Are they any thing more than a depriva- 
tion of those blessings which might be taken from us in any 
other situation ? War excites more terror, because it brings 
distinction on a greater number of people at the same time. 
If thousands perish in a single battle, is it, after all, any 
thing more than death ? — death which is the inevitable fate 
of all — and, perhaps, under other circumstances, might be 
attended with ten-fold horror. Villages and towns may be 
levelled with the dust — they may entirely disappear before 
the hand of the destroyer— men, women and children may 
be reduced to poverty — but forlorn and miserable as may- 
be their condition, still there are millions upon the earth, 
who are comparatively destitute of food and clothing, and 
yet enjoy a happy and contented life. He who would 
despair, because he is without a few of his accustomed 
pleasures, richly deserves all the pain he suffers. Let him 



HOURS OF DEVOTION- 211 

place a higher value upon those treasures that are imperish- 
able—piety, virtue and magnanimity. These, alone, are 
permanent, and will never loose their worth. 



212 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



THE DEPARTURE OF WINTER. 

Spring is returning ! She begins to struggle for the as- 
cendency over winter. The ice is quitting the rivulet, and 
the meadows are putting on their verdure. Flowers, here 
and there, are already blooming, and the tender foliage is 
trembling in the breeze* Merrily the lark pours forth her 
notes in the sky, and every thing around seems to be alive 
with joy. 

Each succeeding day invites us to a ramble in the fields. 
We are impatient to walk forth, and enjoy the beauties of the 
season. Before the swelling buds have blossomed, or the 
landscape appears in all its glory, we find ourselves thread- 
ing the thicket, or clambering the mountain's top. How 
many ardent hopes are pictured to our adoring souls ! We 
think of the many pleasant days we shall enjoy, either in 
excursions through the country, or in the society of those 
we love ! W x hat fragrant mornings aw r ait us ! and what de- 
licious evenings — full of delight — when the fresh breath of 
flowers float upon the air — and the moon pours down her 
magic and silver light upon the rocks, and streams, and 
quiet habitations of men ! We think of the joys that 
are past, and contemplate those that are to come ! We are 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 21 & 

ready to repeat with David : " bless the Lord, O my soul, 
and forget not all his benefits." 

I am never. weary of beholding the magnificence of God, 
or praising his manifold and wonderful works. From my 
infancy I have surveyed the changing seasons as they pass 
by me, and in them I always behold the same beneficent 
and adorable Creator. As I increase in years, the more 
smiling and blissful to me is every returning spring and 
summer, and more replete with happiness the autumn and 
winter. Who indeed is like unto the Lord our God ? 

When spring returns, all is life, motion and activity. 
Every thing, too, undergoes a change. Plants that were 
dead, are quickened into life, and all that has vanished, now 
re-appears. The dismal and melancholy waste is clothed 
with flowers — and deserts of ice and snow are blossoming 
with the rose. But the history of a year, with its blossoms, 
and fruits ; sunshine and snow, is but the history of a sin- 
gle moment. This seeming change is but an illusion. The 
sun that appears to move through the heavens, is stationary. 
Noon and night ; morning and evening ; summer and 
winter — all exist at the same time. If we could take the 
wings of an angle, and soar above the earth, into the im- 
measurable regions of space ; then would the globe we in- 
habit move onward in its course, and as it plays in the 
beams of the sun, we would observe light and shade, and all 
the variety of the seasons at the same instant. The evening 
splendor of one country, is the morning light of its antipodes. 
One half the world is lost in slumber, while the other is 
18* 



214 HOURS OF DEVOTION* 

busy and active. Here is quiet and repose— there is mirth 
and festivity. Here is the brightness of noon ; there the 
solemnity of midnight. On one side we behold the earth 
covered j with snow and ice, the inhabitants half benumbed 
with cold — on the other, the plains smoking, the plants 
withering, and the animals dying with the intensity of heat. 
In one place we see the blossoms of spring — in another, 
the ripe and mellow fruits of autumn. What order ! what 
beauty ! what enchantment ! And this is called by man, 
who occupies but a small portion of the globe, the change 
of the seasons. 

As we cast our eyes abroad, we behold innumerable worlds 
filling the immensity of space. The beings who dwell 
upon their surface, have, like us, their divisions of the day, 
and changes of the year. To them, our earth appears as 
a mere speck — a grain of sand upon the sea shore. And 
we who people it— what are we? What is all our imaginary 
wealth and splendor I What are all the thrones, the em- 
pires, and the legions of armed men, before whom we are 
accustomed to tremble ? — aye, tremble, while we scarcely 
regard the Creator, who called them into existence. How 
exalted, and how insignificant — how mighty and how weak, 
does man appear at the same moment ! 

While I rejoice in the return of spring, I also rejoice in 
the harmony that pervades the works of nature. What- 
ever changes may seem to present themselves, still, the 
power that controls and governs them, forever remains 
the same. The blasts of winter may sweep over the plains, 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 215 

but they will be succeeded by the warm and fragrant breath 
of summer. Man is fickle and inconstant, but God is firm 
and immoveable. Then, why do I not rely more confident- 
ly on his assistance ? Why do I follow the advice of erring 
and short-sighted mortals, rather than the wisdom of him 
who is eternal? whose word endureth forever? 

Imperishable are the works of the Creator! Nothing 
that we behold can be annihilated! The constituent parts 
of the universe may gradually decay; but in this very 
corruption, we perceive the source of new life. Every 
thing that disappears, is re-produced in a new form. There 
is an iutimate connexion observable throughout the whole 
natural world. The drop of water that falls to the ground 
will in time find its way to the ocean, whence it is again 
taken up, and cast upon the earth. What unfathomable 
goodness is every day unfolded to our view ? Century 
upon century has passed away \ and yet every thing, save 
man, remains almost unchanged. The rose and the lilly 
that we gather in our fields, are like unto those that bloom- 
ed in the gardens of the wise king, nearly three thousand 
years ago. The birds and the beasts, are the same now 
that they ever have been ; the moon and the stars look 
down upon the earth with their wonted brightness and 
beauty. Only man has increased in intelligence. He de- 
rives instruction from every thing around him. Nations 
perish, but the learning and wisdom of their sages and 
philosophers are handed as a rich legacy to succeeding 
ages. But the human mind is as a flower which only in 



216 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

eternity can unfold itself in perfection. There we must be 
holy, as God himself is holy ! 

O Lord, thou giver of all life, fill me with thy spirit, 
that I may serve thee better, and love thee more. Where- 
ever I turn my eyes I behold thee, and my soul is filled 
with adoration ! Audi cheerfully acknowledge that thou 
art the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. 



HOURS OP DEVOTION. 217 



THE POWER OF PRAYER. 

In ancient times there was a peculiar class of men dis- 
tinguished by their learning and wisdom, who received uni- 
versal respect and homage. Their advice, which seldom 
deceived— their predictions, which were often fulfilled — 
their abstinence, when they could enjoy every luxury — 
their courage, when every one was in despair- -their con- 
tempt of those things which were the delight of others : 
every thing, in short, seemed to proclaim them as a su- 
perior race of beings. It was believed by many that they 
had direct intercourse with God; that to them the Deity 
made known all that was to befal the human race. 

When Moses went up to the mountain top to speak 
with the infinite Jehovah, the people regarded him with 
awe and reverence. When the children of Israel fought 
against superior numbers of their enemy, and their leader 
offered up his prayers to the prince of battles, they were 
certain of proving victorious. The belief among the Jews 
and Heathens, that their wise men held communion with 
God, had an influence upon all their undertakings, and on 
that account, they were considered as persons of a more 
exalted and sacred character. 

These things are laughed at by some in the present 
day, as pious superstitions. But truth remains forever the 



218 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

same. It cannot be overturned by derision. It will pre- 
vail, notwithstanding all the efforts to suppress it. We 
know there are many persons who consider prayer unne- 
cessary ; and do not like to engage in it, lest they might 
be looked upon as bigots. It is probable, indeed, that they 
are liberal enough to admit that it is very well suited to 
people of ordinary understanding— and as such, will not 
be likely to receive any harm — or as a sort of trade or 
business for the clerical profession. They say that the 
regulation of divine wisdom cannot be changed, therefore 
their prayers will avail them nothing. All that is neces- 
sary for their wants they think to receive without asking — 
and as God is acquainted with their necessities, that he 
will certainly require no entreaties in order to a distribu- 
tion of his blessings. Such may be the expression of their 
sentiments, although their conscience frequently upbraids 
them. But there are those who think differently — w r ho are 
persuaded of the efficacy of prayer, and that it will produce 
the most happy results. If such a conviction does not rest 
upon some sure foundation, why was it so strongly 
recommended by Christ ? Although he tells us that our 
Father knoweth what things we have need of before we 
ask him, yet, says he : " Ask, and it shall be given you : 
seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto 
you : For every one that asketh, receive th : and he that 
seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be 
opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son 
ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish , 



HOTTRS OF DEVOTION. 219 

will he give him a serpent ? If ye then, being evil, know 
how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more 
shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to 
them that ask him?" 

We are not to believe, on that account, that our prayers 
will effect miracles. Much, indeed, may be accomplished 
of an extraordinary character, yet it will be perfectly con- 
sonant with the nature of belief. Our prayers may 
not always be immediately answered ; but if we trust con- 
fidently in God, he will not fail, sooner or later, to attend 
to our requests. Let us make known to him our secret 
wishes — our inmost desires. And this is a spiritual inter- 
course with the Father, whereby we increase in strength, 
and improve in wisdom. But if our wants are not always 
realized, we should feel not the less thankful, because ex- 
perience may afterwards teach us that every thing has 
been ordered for the best. 

I have an assurance that my prayers have a salutary and 
holy influence upon my character and destiny. When I 
approach the throne of the Almighty with my supplica- 
tions, I feel more sensibly the^magnitude of his power, and 
of my sole dependance upon him for protection and sup- 
port. My confidence, in his goodness and mercy, increases, 
I know that he will give me strength and power for every 
good action. Then, nothing will be impossible. A serene 
conscience in the presence of God, will arm me with 
the strength of a giant — and I am thereby rendered in- 
vincible to sin and temptation. 



220 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

It is almost incredible what a man may accomplish by an 
unwavering faith, and a consciousness of his purity and in- 
nocence. Wealth, artifice, and superiority of rank may 
effect much, but that energy and resolution of soul* grow- 
ing out of a love of virtue and magnanmity, will soon out- 
strip them all. Who, that is acquainted with the history 
of the past, cannot recount the numberless men who start- 
ed from their obscurity, and were enabled by their prayers 
to triumph over their enemies, and sometimes to conquer 
a nation or prostrate a throne ? When God was with 
them, who could be against them? Can we not remember 
here and there a comparatively insignificant man, without 
wealth, or rank, or family influence, who, by his pious and 
indefatigable zeal, in despite of every obstacle, finally ac- 
complished some humane and charitable undertaking ? Be- 
hold the remnant of an army — spiritless and broken down, 
who are flying before their pursurers! Escape is impos- 
sible. Now their enemies are upon them, who, alas! are 
greatly their superiors in strength and discipline ! The} 
tremble for their country, and see the inevitable ruin that 
awaits them! In this dread "and solemn moment they kneel 
to the all seeing God in the presence of their adversaries ! 
They pour out their souls in prayer ! Their devotions could 
not be disturbed, even by the thunder of the enemie's ar- 
tillery ! They spring to their feet, and the clangor of their 
arms is heard preparing for the combat ! Now they are 
other men ! - Courage is depicted in every countenance ! 
Without fear or trembling they advance ! God is with 



JtOTIRS OF DEVOTION. 221 

them, and every man has become a hero ! The charge is 
given. The battle rages, and blood is streaming on every 
side ! Finally, the contest is over, and the hitherto despair- 
ing and shattered troops have proved victorious ! 

Do you yet doubt of the power and influence of prayer? 
Without it, there can be no courage — no great and 
philanthropic enterprises —no energy or resolute purpose 
of soul. 

This communion of mortals with the holy spirit, begets 

within them the highest of all earthy wisdom— -the entire 

perfection, we may add, if there moral natures. Then 

they view with abhorrence the sinfulness and injustice of 

the world. As man improves in knowledge by mingling 

with the more intelligent of his fellow beings, so does his 

soul become more sanctified by spiritual intercourse with 

the Almighty. We cannot pray with proper devotion, if 

we do not feel ourselves operated upon by the majesty and 

holiness of our Maker. And he who truly possesses this 

devotional feeling, will not be guilty of an impure action. 

He, therefore, is not a good man, who would pray, and at 

the same time deceive his neighbour : nor lie who would 

prefer wealth, honor and reputation, to the things of the 

Lord ; for it is impossible to serve two masters at a time. 

Devotion elevates and purifies our desires — and hence, 

the treasures of earth are nothing in comparison to the 

souK He, who is imbued with the spirit of prayer, takes 

no pleasure in those things which cannot increase his 

happiness. His conduct will be essentially different ; for 

that which he before esteemed as the most important, he 

19 



2£2 HOURS OP DEVOTION, 

now regards as the most trifling and mean. And in pur- 
suance of these principles, he daily increases in piety and 
wisdom. 

Christ prayed in Gethsemane, and fearlessly stood be- 
fore his accusers who condemned him to the cross. Stephen, 4 
who was furiously stoned by the. mob, asserted, notwith- 
standing, his belief in the Saviour, and died a martyr to the 
faith. There were hundreds also who followed his exam- 
ple. The Jews were astonished and almost confounded by 
the heroism which these men displayed. Their contempt 
of death, excited alternately, their pity and admration — un- 
till, finally, many of them became believers themselves, and 
the temples of the heathens disappeared before the march 
of Christianity. 

What self-love often renders desirable, ceases to have 
a charm when we are more immediately associated with 
God. In the light of his holiness, we blush for the selfish 
hardness of our hearts — which, can alone be sanctified by 
our devotions. 

The greater number of the calamities which happen to us 
are the consequences of our own indescretions. We expect 
far different results from a wise and virtuous life, than one of 
debauchery and crime — and while prayer fills us with peace 
and tranquillity, we must rationally conclude that it exerts 
a beneficial influence upon our conduct, generally. 

Resting under this conviction, let us never engage in an 
important undertaking, without first devoutly addressing 
ourselves to the Deity. Then, in view of all his perfections, 
our desires will be purified ; we will not subject ourselves 



HOURS OF DEVOTIOW. 223 

to the control of violent passions ; and our moral powers 
will be strengthened and improved. 

May all mankind engage deeply and fervently in prayer. 
It was commanded by our Saviour, who, himself, prayed 
for the redemption of a sinful and wicked world. If we ask, 
it will be given us : if we seek, we shall assuredly find. 
Where will we find refuge, if we are forsaken by God ? or 
where comfort without his mercy ? In our afflictions, he is 
the anchor of our hope. In our temptations, he will protect 
and bless us. 



224 HOUES OP DEVOTION, 



THE DANGER OF HASTILY FORMED PIOUS 
RESOLUTIONS. 

The friends of Christ were assembled about him at the 
passover. Among them was the traitor who rewarded 
the love of his master with treason and ingratitude. When 
they all had eaten, they sang a hymn of thanksgiving, and 
Jesus went into the mount of Olives, near Jerusalem. His 
disciples followed. He revealed to them the danger with 
which he was threatened. "All ye shall be offended because 
of me this night : for it is written, I will smite the Shep- 
herd and the sheep of the flocks shall be scattered abroad." 
They were terrified by the mystery of his words. Peter 
answered : "Though all men shall be offended because of 
thee, yet will I never be offended." And when Jesus told 
him, that before the cock crew, he would deny him thrice, 
the disciple, who thought himself capable of any sacrifice, 
replied : "Though I should die with thee, yet will I not 
deny thee." But how soon was the solemn promise bro- 
ken! A vast multitude, armed with swords and staves, 
came at midnight, with Judas at their head, and forced him 
away, a prisoner, to be condemed by sinners. His disciples 
disappeared like sheep who had lost their shepherd, and 
even Peter, who had made such protestations of his fidelty, 
also violated his pledge. 



HGTJRS OP DEVOTION. 225 

Few people, however, at the present day, who call them- 
selves followers of Christ, can boast of the same degree 
of magnanimity, as the generous and high minded Peter. 
Although in a moment of terror and threatened persecution, 
he denied his beloved master, yet we are told of his bitter 
repentence : and that regardless of the insults which were 
heaped upon him, and the dungeons which were open on every 
side to receive him, he fearlessly went among his enemies, 
proclaiming his belief of the Saviour* His vows were faith- 
fully kept, and after a joyless though virtuous life, he suf- 
fered an ignominious death at Rome, as the penalty of ad- 
herence to his divine belief. How many christians can now 
be found who resemble Peter ? They may censure the 
rash promise which he made on his way to Gethsemane ; 
but it is probable, if they have not already acted in liko 
manner, that they never formed a truly noble or pious reso- 
lution. We hear of such men calling on God to deliver 
them from some eminent danger, and making declarations 
of the charitable intentions, which they may honestly ful- 
fill ; but what unworthy ideas they must have of the Deity 
to suppose that they will make themselves more worthy in 
his estimation, merely by a few beneficent actions ! There 
are others deserving equal censure, who affect to believe if 
they pursue the path of rectitude, and obey, in some mea- 
sure the precepts of Christ, that God will require nothing 
further at their hands. They perform no more than their 
convenience will warrant. They pray daily, and are think- 
ing perhaps, at the same moment, how they can be revenged 
of him, who may casually have omitted to show them due 
19* 



226 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

respect, or any other triffling offence. They frequently go 
to church, but they never give their mite for the relief of 
their fellow men, unless, indeed, they are likely to acquire 
some notoriety by their benevolence. They promise in their 
prayers to amend their faults, but the promise, alone, they 
seem to think quite sufficient. They slander and defraud 
their neighbours— they are guilty of almost every impiety, 
and publicly boast of their artifice, rather than regret their 
want of truth and veracity. Such degraded beings should 
be awakened from their slumbers — they should be aroused 
to the danger that awaits them ; for their prayers are an 
abomination, and God is ready to judge the wicked every- 
day. 

Man is never more inclined to occupy his mind with con- 
templations of the Deity, than in moments when he perceives 
the instability of all earthly things. Who, after a long 
sickness, has not come to the determination to correct the 
error of his ways ? Who has not resolved to live a pious 
and exemplary life, if, by some unexpected misfortune, they 
are reduced to poverty and want ? Or, is it not natural for 
us all, when standing at the grave of a beloved friend, and 
eternity brought still more vividly to our view, to resolve 
upon a new mode of life, and as far as possible, to divest 
ourselves of evil ? Such are the resolutions, thus hastly 
formed, that seldom possess any permanence of character. 
They, too, have their dangers. Every effort to increase our 
perfection, is undeniably praiseworthy ; but it is folly to 
suppose that it can be attained on the instant. We must 
accomplish the task by degrees. We must prepare the 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 227 

foundation, and carefully erect the structure. " Watch and 
pray, that ye enter not into temptation : the spirit indeed is 
willing, but the flesh is weak." 

Man, in a fit of excitement, rarely weighs the powers of 
his mind, and therefore, every thing seems easy to accom- 
plish. But when his enthusiasm has passed away, he finds 
that he has been deceived. Former habits are impatient to 
resume the sway. There are schemes of profitable specula- 
tion presented to his view. Posts of honor may be obtained. 
The voice of adulation is sounding abroad. To all these he 
cannot remain entirely indifferent. His ambition is on the 
alert. The company with whom he associates, awakens 
feelings and desires, which his principles do not approve, 
and he struggles to overcome them. Hence the difficulty — 
cooly and deliberately to resist the importunities of pride 
and prejudice, ambition and passion ; and to persevere in 
that God-like purpose of soul, which, before, in the heat of 
prayer, appeared so easy to accomplish. We may desire 
to grow better, but it is vain and futile to expect an improve- 
ment of our moral nature the moment we have set about 
acquiring it. Such hopes are liable to be wrecked by every 
trifling difficulty. A man presents a widely different aspect 
in quiet and sober reflection, than when he is under the 
operation of any violent emotion. In the one, he beholds 
things as they are — he sees all the dangers attendant upon 
any new resolution ; but in the other, his reason and 
judgment are partially overthrown, and he becomes the dupe 
of an ardent and misdirecting fancy. 

And what is the consequence of this weakness and over- 



£28 HOURS OT DEVOTIOK. 

sight? It frequently leads to a sudden and bitter repent* 
ance. Then we again prostrate ourselves before the Deity, 
and with the deepest contrition implore his mercy and 
forgiveness— solemnly promising, as before, that we will be 
more watchful for the future, and earnestly endeavour to 
avoid the paths of sin and wickedness. We go again into 
the crowd ; we resume our business ; we begin our inter- 
course with men ; we successfully conquer our vicious in- 
clinations, and when we are about to proclaim ourselves 
triumphant desciples of Christ, we find, in a single ungard- 
ed moment, that we have relapsed into our former vices. 
In this situation, we not only doubt the possibillity of per- 
fecting ourselves in happiness ; but we even despair of im- 
proving, in the smallest degree, our moral condition. Such 
are the results of a broken resolution. Finally, we per- 
suade ourselves that human frailty is a barrier to the ac- 
quisition of virtue, and we grow reckless of amendment. 
We think we have done all in our power, and now we will 
trust divine indulgence. Our self-love flatters us that we 
are not the worst of men — that there are assuredly many 
others less righteous than ourselves. We gradually pro- 
gress in vice and immorality, and conclude at last, that those 
amiable qualities, and that purity to which we before aspired, 
have no existence save in the imagination. 

Parents, teachers, and the proclaimers of the Christian 
faith, have a very important duty to perform, who have the 
instruction of youth. We often find them resorting to 
various means to produce an excitement in their young an 
inexperienced minds, and, if possible, to wring from them 



StOTTRS OP DEVOTION. &£9 

a declaration that they will in the future, live a pious and 
holy life. Nothing is easier than to awaken those ebullitions 
of feeling, or during their excitement, to exact the most 
solemn promise, that they will renounce the pleasures of the 
world, and care only for the things of the Lord ; but how 
seldom do they fulfil the resolution they have made, and if 
broken, how difficult is the task to inspire them again with 
religious emotions. 

In nature, every thing goes quietly and smoothly along. 
The day gradually changes into darkness, and the summer 
is mellowed by degrees into autumn. There are no fits 
and starts — no inequalities— -but a regular and sure pro- 
gression of all we behold. This is a lesson from which 
all may derive instruction. If man, therefore, would elevate 
his condition in a religious point of view, he must, in the 
first place, root out the most dangerous of his vices. If he 
is inclined to anger, he must lessen its violence ; if he is a 
voluptuary, he will deny himself his accustomed luxuries ; 
if he is ambitious, he will learn to accord that praise to 
others, which he has so exclusively claimed for himself. 
He who would entirely rid himself of every fault, will care- 
fully avoid every occasion that might tend to call them into 
play ; and when he is the victor over one, he has power to 
subdue the others. 

A man may free himself of those defects for which he has 
been reproached, and yet be very far from perfection. He 
still has almost innumerable difficulties to encounter. He 
may not be proud of his wealth, talents, or high station ; he 
may not be lewd, avaricious or quarrelsome in his dispo- 



230 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

sition; nor a thief, defrauder or spend thrift; yet is he 
humane, just and charitable from principle ? from a settled 
conviction, we may add, that it is his indespensable duty ? Is 
he ready to assist his fellow beings notwithstanding it would 
require a personal sacrifice ? Does he confer benefits upon 
those who have offended him ? Does he terminate each day 
with the consciousness that he has performed some christian 
duty? 

With every succeeding year there are some new traits 
developed in our characters of which we were before ignor- 
ant. Therefore we must continually guard against those 
causes that might predispose us to evil. A virtuous youth 
may degenerate into a sinful man ; an aimable female, into 
a dissolute woman. And as every age has its good and evil 
propensities, we should not suffer, our exertions to cease, 
when we have cleansed ourselves from one sin. Our wick- 
ed inclinations will assuredly return, perhaps with a still 
more flattering tongue, and our designs will be eventually 
frustrated if we rest in too great security. 

" Watch and pray ; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is 
weak." How often have I reflected upon these expressive 
words, and in moments of enthusiastic devotion, I have 
fancied how easy it would be to endure the sufferings, of 
Christ and become like unto him in holiness. But my resolu- 
tion, I fear, is often like that of Peter's, who said he would 
rather die, than prove faithless. Still, let me follow his example, 
and never despair of making myself worthy of a Redeemer's 
love. Let me persevere in the ways of holiness, that I may 
become more and more perfect every day. I will break 



HOURS OP DEVOTION. 231 

asunder the chains that have bound my soul in bondage. 
I will root out the iniquity that has poisoned the virtuous 
impulses of my nature. There is a glorious immortality 
before me — a high prize, to which my aspirations shall 
tend, and may God arm me with strength to accomplish my 
purposes, 



£32 HOURS OF DEVOTION 



THE NECESSITY OF FAITH. 

Our minds are frequently perplexed and confused by 
listening to the various opinions of men in regard to religion. 
One individual will confidently assert that we need only be- 
lieve in the sacrifice and atoning blood of Jesus Christ in 
order to sanctification : another, that salvation does not rest 
in belief, unless that belief is made manifest by purity and 
holiness of heart. We hear these contradictions, even in 
the house of the Lord. What one rejects, another piously 
recommends. While one urges faith, as the only true founda- 
tion of Christian piety, the other only requires a moral and 
virtuous conduct, as the substance and ground- work of re- 
ligion. 

These disputes produce many uncharitable feelings, and 
often divide and separate congregations. The weak man f 
at last, begins to waver, and thinks only of administering to 
his carnal appetite. He leaves off all religious ceremonies, 
and is contented with the common prudence of life. He 
only performs those duties that will contribute to his im- 
mediate advantage, and his future destination he leaves al- 
together to accident. 

If I am correct in my observations of men, particularly 
those who rank as the more intelligent and enlightened, I 
find that they generally have an aversion to all religious 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 233 

creeds or matters of faith. They know nothing of them, 
except what they occasionally hear at church, to which they 
now and then resort as a matter of decency, or in conformi- 
ty to general custom. Thus it becomes, every day, more 
and more the fashion to consider religious worship, not as 
a thing of great or paramount importance, but merely as 
one of the moral duties of life. Man often flatters himself 
that he discovers in it a degree of pride, pomp and splendor ,' 
deceit, hypocrisy and fanatcism, over all of which he claims 
a more elevated station. 

A consequence of this evil is, that such people seldom, 
if ever, communicate with their children upon religious sub- 
jects. It would seem as though they considered it almost 
degrading to talk seriously of the truths of Christianity. 
Their offspring, therefore, are left to choose and examine 
for themselves, when their judgments are more fully matur- 
ed. They think they have done all that is requisite, by 
training them up in the path of decency and sobriety, with- 
out reference to the eternal welfare of their souls- Public 
devotion they either neglect or despise. The whole universe, 
they say, is the temple of God, and the exercise of honest 
and benevolent principles, the most acceptable worship. 

Thus it is ! But he who is resolved to be a christian, must 
shake off such indifference. We have a choice to make — 
either of infidelity, or faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And 
why has he enjoined the latter upon us as indespensably re- 
quisite to our salvation, if it could be accomplished by the 
force of moral rectitude alone? How foolish it would be in 
poor, finite man, to disregard the doctrines that were propa- 
20 



2S4 HOUSS OF DEVOTIOH. 

gated by the saviour and his desciples, and in confirmation of 
which, they fearlessly encountered death in its most appal- 
ling forms ! " Without faith it is impossible to please God : 
for he that cometh to him must believe that he is, and that 
he is a re warder of them that diligently seek him." 

If virtue alone is sufficient to impart consolation to the 
sufferer, or hope to the despairing, why appeared Christ upon 
the earth? Had not Greece and Rome her teachers of the 
moral law before his birth? Yet he came, and " is the end 
of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." 

What is the advantage of faith ? Why is it essential to 
our salvation? Why, without this, are all other virtues 
insufficient to promote our true happiness ? The pious and 
ingenuous heart alone can truly answer. 

Takeaway the Creator from the midst of his works, 
and what then would the Universe appear? A mysterious 
combination of matter singularly regulated by the most 
harmonious laws ! And 'what the purpose of our lives 1 
Must we reply that they seem to be without any definite 
aim? Where is the man who is not awed by such reflec- 
tions? And do we not feel the necessity of a faith that 
changes darkness to light— that puts to rest every seeming 
contradiction. Without it, indeed, no true wisdom can 
exist ; for it is founded upon something more than the com- 
mon maxims of life. Without it, we are lost to that grandeur 
and sublimity of soul, which we would otherwise experi- 
ence. Without faith in our immortality, existence is as a 
shadow. Without faith, how easily would every noble 
principle be prostrated by the influence of passion ! It gives 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. £35 

strength to our reason, and keeps alive our piety, even at 
the risk of ignomy and persecution. 

Such is the influence that is exercised by christian faith 
upon the human heart. What are all our beneficent deeds 
without it ? Merely the offspring of a benevolent disposi- 
tion without anticipation of any other reward than that of 
men. 

Without faith, there can be no solid comfort or eonsola- 
tion. In the day of adversity, when poverty and sickness 
come upon us, nothing else can tranquillize our minds. 
Only the belief in a wise providence, who governs and di- 
rects the whole universe, can elevate the mind beyond the 
reach of despair. 

See the husband, who is destitute of faith, standing at 
the sick bed of a beloved wife. The faint smile that plays 
•upon her lips, or the feeble pressure of her hand, denote 
that in a little while she will be in eternity. What can 
console him ? The hope of joining her in the land of spirits. 
imparts no gladness to his gloomy soul, because he indulges 
not in those blessed anticipations. And when he approaches 
the threshold of the tomb, into which he will shortly 
descend, what must be his feelings when he reflects for a 
moment that his body is about to be given up a prey to the 
insatiate worms, and his existence be for ever terminated ! 
Alas ! poor mortal man ! Thy youth has been marked by 
folly — and thy riper years wasted in vain pursuits. And 
yet thou will sometimes boast of thy benevolence and 
virtue — without possessing an atom of either. Away 
with such vain conceits, for the Son of God hath said j 



236 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

" He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do 
also." He, alone, is the pillar of the good man's hopes. 
He hears every prayer — he counts every repentant tear ; 
and all who call upon his name, and rely faithfully upon his 
power to save, will be rewarded with eternal life. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 237 



LOVE AND FEAR OF GOD. 

First Reflection* 

When I look upon the past, when the earth was without 
form, and the sun gave no light, my soul is wraped in a 
mysterious awe. The centuries that have elapsed since the 
creation, have all been marked by some particular event. 
Nations and empires have been broken up — but the earth 
remains as an immsense tomb of all who appeared upon its sur- 
face. The dust which I move by my footsteps, is the decay 
of a former age. But I leave these things, and return to a 
contemplation of myself. Out of nothing was I created j 
the body, which, to day, I am so careful to protect, may 
to-morrow be reposing in the grave. Friends will assem- 
ble and weep over me, as I have wept over those who 
have gone before me ; and while this frail tenement — the 
body — returns to primeval dust, the spirit which it enshrines, 
will survive its wreck, and under the guidance of an omni- 
potent power, will be ushered into a new kingdom* Who, 
by such reflections, is not filled with fear and astonishment ? 
Who can thoroughly comprehend himself, or the world, 
or futurity? Still we must not give ourselves up to doubt, 
or skepticism. Let our spirits take a hue of gladness from 
ihe glory and magnificence of the Universe. If we visit 
20* 



2S8 HOURS OP DEVOTIOK. 

the chamber of the dead, the silence that reins, will turn 
our thoughts^ to the infinite Jehovah. If we look forward 
to eternity, we shall behold, instead of endless night, the 
bright and radiating throne of the Eternal. 

Holy, holy is the Lord God of Israel ! He is the light 
and perfection of our nature— -the beginning and end of 
the world. I continually enjoy his blessings, unworthy as 
I must appear in his sight. He is a merciful judge, and 
I will pour out my prayers for his acceptance. I will cleanse 
my heart of wickedness, and lessen the multitude of my 
sins. The love of the Saviour will never die, and while 
the tears of my repentance continue to flow, I have an as- 
surance of happiness beyond the grave. 

Such are the feelings, which we naturally experience, 
when we contemplate the character of God. It is a secret 
reverence, amounting almost to awe, arising from a consci- 
ousness of his greatness and glory; but mingled, at the same 
time with the recollection that he is our kind and benefi- 
cent Father. The fear of God, therefore, which is spoken 
of in the sacred writings, is not accompanied by despair. 
It is only the respect and humility that the creature should 
manifest in the presence of his Creator. " For as many as 
are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to 
fear ; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby 
ye cry, Abba, Father." 

He, who would cherish other feelings than these, is not 
imbued with a christian spirit. He, who would subject 
himself to the operation of the same fear, in relation to his 
Maker, that controls him in the presence of an avenging 



HOURS OF DEVOTIOJT* 2S9 

enemy, is far from fulfilling the precepts of Christ : for, 
says the apostle, " God is love," and "in love there is no 
fear ; but perfect love casteth out fear : because fear hath 
torment." 

It is with regret that I behold such an infinite number 
of professing christians, who from some cause or other, 
have imbibed a wrong notion of the Deity, and altogether 
mistaken the nature of his attributes. Every attempt to 
worship him, is not from choice, but rather a misgiving 
of his wrath. They are less thankful for his mercies, than 
they are affrighted by the expectation of his punishment. 
They resemble the heathens who offer sacrifices to their 
Gods — not from a feeling of love ; but with the hope of 
appeasing their anger. Let us, therefore, cease to en- 
courage those superstitious fears, which, even at the pre- 
sent day, are attempted to be instilled into the mind by 
those who represent God as a cruel, merciless and impla- 
cable being. It cannot be denied that they do exist in an 
eminent degree. Observe those, for instance, who worship 
God as though it were a painful duty. We may hear them 
uttering prayers, without giving any other proof of their 
holiness. They live only for the pleasures of the world ; 
they enjoy the blessings of their heavenly Father, but do 
not return him their thanks. And they are the first to 
tremble, if, as they fancy, his wrath is about to come upon 
them. If the elements are threatening them with destruction 
— if a storm is raging in the heavens, and the lightnings are 
darting from the gored bosom of the clouds — then, indeed, 
they betake themselves to prayer — then they fall down in 
penitence before the living God, and earnestly entreat his 



£40 HOURS OP DEVOTION. 

pardon and forgiveness. But the tempest passes away 5 
and with it their anguish, their contrition, their promises. 
All is forgotten ; and their wickedness resumes its sway. 
They even laugh at the recollection of their fears, while 
they were thus menaced. 

If such miserable creatures find themselves in some un* 
expected embarrassment or extremity; — if the life of some 
dearly cherished friend is threatened with disease — if some 
favourite project is likely to prove abortive — if, perchance, 
they are cast upon a bed of sickness, and despair of recovery 
— then, like the heathens, they offer up prayers and vows, 
as if they supposed nothing further was requisite. But this 
is the timidity of a mean and go veiling spirit, and not the 
true, rational and christian like fear of God. 

The more we grow in the grace and knowledge of the 
Lord, the more clearly we comprehend the extent of his 
wisdom and goodness. Without a proper understanding of 
his perfections, we would be lost to that degree of love and 
reverence which he would otherwise inspire. But with 
this knowledge, our righteousness increases, and our faith 
is established on a sure foundation. 

The fear of God, is the beginning of wisdom. Without 
this, there can be no piety, and without piety there can be 
no solid peace or happiness. 

It would seem as though mankind had but little regard 
for each other. We see, almost every day, some fraudu- 
lent transaction carried on before our eyes. One man will 
deceive or impose upon his neighbour — and each will all- 
ternately flatter or deprecate as may best suit his interest 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. £41 

or inclination. "He who loveth God, loveth his brother 
also: and if a man say he loveth God, and hateth his 
brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother 
whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath 
not seen?" 

There are abundant proofs in the conduct of men, to 
show that there is a defect in their religious principles — 
that they but seldom occupy their minds with the things 
of the Lord. If we go into certain societies, notwithstand- 
ing their pretensions to intelligence, we hear them ridicu- 
ling the idea of a Saviour — as he is represented in the in- 
spired volume— and laughing to scorn all who would presume 
to assert such a belief. If we enter the courts of justice? 
we may there behold an individual taking a solemn oath 
with the same indifference that he would address a friend 
upon some light and trivial subject — or another laying 
perjury to his soul, through some interested motive, and at 
the same time calling on God to witness the solemnity of 
his vow. Verily, we might almost suppose that the world 
had relapsed into barbarism. Even the heathens had a 
greater reverence for the idols which they were accustom- 
ed to worship, than many christians of the present day, 
have for the living and true God. " Let all the earth fear 
the Lord : let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe 
of him. For he spake, and it was done ;. he commanded, 
and it stood fast." 

The fear of God, is the source of every virtue. In mo* 
ments of temptation, it is the safeguard of our innocence — - 
it enables us to counteract many unholy desires. When 
ambition prompts us to some improper conduct— when 



242 IIOURS OF DEVOTION. 

pleasure allures us from the path of rectitude ; here is a 
warning voice — a power that withholds us from the jaws of 
destruction, 

God is perfect, and the unrighteous he drives from his 
presence. Let us, therefore, live holy, that we may stand 
before him, as we would stand before an old and venerable 
friend, whose feelings we would not injure, or whose respect 
we would not forfeit. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 243 



THE LOVE AND FEAR OF GOD. 

Seccnd Reflection. 

Important and indispensible as are the duties which a 
man owes to his fellow beings in society, still none of 
them can ever become paramount to that love and obedience 
which is due his Creator. Friends and acquaintances may 
be hurried aw T ay by death ; but God forever remains with 
us. The former may forget their friendships — -their promises 
of love and fidelity; but he continues just and faithful to 
the end. The beauty and flush of youth may vanish— 
pleasures may flee away —we may no longer receive the 
smiles and approbation of men ; yet is God, notwithstand- 
ing, unchanged and immutable. 

Ideas in relation to the supreme being are varied in dif- 
ferent people, according to their peculiar temperament, dis- 
position or circumstances. Here is a set of men, calling them-^ 
selves christians, who are continually complaining that God 
will not grant their prayers— that he will not, with all their 
entreaties, comply with their wishes. There are others, 
who do not hesitate to ask his assistance even for the ac- 
complishment of some infamous purpose — infamous, we 
repeat; for we cannot speak in less qualified terms — 
and it is to be regretted, that we behold men in an enlight- 
ened age, who would feign make God an instrument to 



244 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

effect a project dictated solely by their ambition, their 
malice, or their lust. The prayer of an untaimed animal, 
had it a knowlege of a higher being, could not be less 
characteristic of its brutal and ferocious nature. 

He, who is of a gay and cheerful turn, looks upon God 
as a being full of mercy and love, and who certainly will 
not punish his children with undue severity. On the con- 
trary, a gloomy, melancholy, and easily provoked mind, 
lends itself to believe that he is forever angry, jealous and 
vindictive ; visiting the sins of the father upon the third 
and fourth generation, and testing the faithfulness of his 
creatures by every variety of suffering, before he receives 
them into the kingdom of glory. Such are the differences 
of opinion among men in relation to the omnipotent. One 
stands before him as an awed and trembling slave : another 
approaches him, as a dutiful child approaches its beloved 
parent. But every misconception of this great and im- 
portant subject will be rectified by a proper understanding 
of the divine law. This is the only true light to direct 
our wandering footsteps. It teaches us to repose confidence 
in our heavenly father. " For verily I say unto you" saith 
Christ to his disciples, " that whosoever shall say unto this 
mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea ; 
and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those 
things which he saith shall come to pass ; he shall have 
whatsoever he saith." He also says : "Thou shalt love the 
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, 
and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is 
the first commandment. And the second is like unto it, 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 245 

namely, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self. There is none 
other commandment greater than these." This is of more 
value than burnt-offerings and sacrifices ; and he who faith- 
fully attends to these things, is "not far from the kingdom 
of God." 

So taught Christ, and his disciples. The scriptures, also, 
frequently exhort us to fear the Lord. By this, however, 
we do not mean the terror that is experienced by the 
wicked ; but simply the keeping of his commandments, and 
a strict observance of all his precepts. Therefore, is the 
fear of God, nothing more than the love of him, whereby 
our affections are chastened, and we partake, in some de- 
gree, of his purity and holiness. 

How few can boast of having rendered themselves thus 
far perfect ! We pray to God ; but not with hearts over- 
flowing with love and gratitude ; and we often neglect, even 
the ceremony, until we find ourselves menaced with some 
calamity or danger, and know of no other hope or refuge 
than the Almighty* 

To love God, we must fully understand him, and in order 
to do this, we have only to observe the wisdom he has dis- 
played in his creation — the order and regularity with 
which he governs the world, and the kindness which he 
bestows upon all his creatures. Nor should we ever neglect 
an opportunity of making ourselves still better acquainted 
with his character. Then will ne appear to us with increas- 
ed sublimity ; and his goodness and mercy, and compassion 
more infinite. 

How often have I deceived myself with the impression 
21 



246 HOUBS OP DEVOTION. 

that I was one of the chosen of God, when, indeed, my 
heart was full of envy and bitterness ! How often also un- 
der the guise of sanctity, have I given a loose reign to my 
unholy desires, or exercised cruelty towards my fellow 
beings. But henceforth I will love them all— I will banish 
hatred and jealousy from my breast — I will have no enemy 
upon the earth. If they persecute me, it shall be without 
cause ; if they have no respect for me, it will not be for 
the want of my endeavours to deserve it. 

And in order to this, oh, most merciful Father, inspire 
me with thy love, that I may not waver in my efforts — that 
I may belong to thee, and thee only, both now and for 
ever. Amen. 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



247 



PRAYER. 

He, who, in the fulness of his heart, silently worships the 
adorable creator, enjoys a pleasure that earth cannot give ; 
his spirit leaves this scene of doubt and perplexity, and 
revels, for a moment, in the empire of etherial bliss. 

There are few who do not engage in prayer. It is not 
confined to the christian alone ; but even the savage, who 
roams along the solitary streams of India, humbles himself 
before a superior being. Although he is enveloped in mental 
darkness, yet his heart is full of religion ; and if he lifts his 
voice in supplication to the stars, he will not be overlooked 
by Him who numbers even the flowers of the field. 

The wisest, as well as the most ignorant ; the strongest, 
as well as the weakest, have, all alike, participated in prayer, 
because they felt an irresistable desire to be associated with 
God. The king, notwithstanding the imperial grandeur 
with which he is surrounded, and the adulation that is paid 
to his station by venal courtiers, cannot but feel that he is as 
a worm of the dust, and therefore, offers up his prayers to 
heaven. With the same spirit does the philanthropist go 
forth rejoicing, with the hope of lessening the burden of 
human affliction. The youth, who quits for a time, the bustle 
of the world to which he has been accustomed , and retires 
into silence and meditation, sees at a distance the gathering 



248 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

storm with which he must contend, and his thoughts 
centre almost involuntarily upon his Maker. He knows 
of no friend who will be more faithful ; no father more 
kindly ; no protector, more powerful. Such, too, is almost 
the only solace of the rude soldier, who knows not how 
soon his bleeding corse may be stretched upon the field of 
battle. The mother prays in the midst of her children; and 
the widow, over the grave of her beloved husband ; and, at 
last, the vicious and abject wretch, who, unexpectedly, is 
laid upon the bed of death. He sees that he is but a shadow 
of his former self; and he now shudders with the same ab- 
horrence at the thought of trifling away his time, as he was 
before pleased to deride and sneer at the devotions of the true 
christian. 

But there is one we have not yet enumerated- This is 
the skeptic. In the midst of all he stands unmoved, as 
though his heart was of adamant. He is a monument of 
human wickedness and corruption, from whom the good 
man turns aside in disgust. 

We must not pray merely for the purpose of acquiring a 
reputation for being a pious and orderly citizen. Miserable 
is the man, who, in his devotions, only thinks of the respect 
and honor of men. He is a pitiful hypocrite, who deserves 
no respect. 

Nor should we pray simply because we were so taught in 
our childhood, or because it was the practice of our ancestors. 
We adhere to the form, while we neglect the spirit of those 
religious exercises. With us, they are often senseless and 
unmeaning words, which issue from our lips, and vanish 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 



249 



unheeded, in the air. We address ourselves to the Almighty, 
but in so negligent a manner, that we are scarcely conscious 
of what we have uttered. " But when ye pray, use not 
vain repetitions, as the heathens do : for they think that 
they shall be heard for their much speaking." Only that 
prayer, which springs from the inmost fountain of the soul, is 
acceptable to the heavenly father. 

The best of us, while our spirit abides in the tabernacle 
of clay, are but poor feeble mortals. We must, therefore, 
turn our thoughts to God, and partake of the gladness which 
he has prepared for his obedient children. And we will hold 
communion with him, as we are accustomed to do with our 
kind and affectionate parents, friends and protectors, who 
will love and cherish us ; albeit we should not make known 
to them our wants, and necessities. 

By prayer, we are enabled to look beyond the shadow of 
this earth, and behold glimpses of that kingdom that will 
never pass away. We approach nearer to the Deity. We 
feel that we are standing securely upon the rock of ages. 
We can now distinguish between the substance and shadow, 
between that which is perishable, and that which is eternal. 
The whole world is presented to us in another light. The 
earth upon which we tread, seems to be but one step in the 
great drama of existence. We look upon the starred heavens, 
and see but a trifling portion of the Almighty's works, and 
we glow with ecstacy and transport ; an etherial rapture 
thrills through every vein, and changes the very elements 
of our being. Such is the power of prayer. 

The child that kisses the hand of its parent, acknowledges 



250 HOURS OF DEVOTION. 

a feeling of love and gratitude that is kindled in its heart, 
Why, then, shall I not revere my Creator and Preserver 
with filial tenderness and affection ? If he has designed me 
for a higher sphere, why should 1 not worship him with all 
the fervor of an angel ? as a being, in short, who lives in the 
anticipation of a better and more beautiful world? He 
hears the faintest whisper that escapes my lips ; and he 
beholds every penitent tear that I shed, even as the mother 
beholds the smiles of her first born. 

As an unworthy sinner, I will throw myself at the foot- 
stool of repentance, and supplicate the forgiveness of an 
offended Deity. I have already felt the punishment of my 
transgressions. But he will give me new strength, and new 
power, to regain all that I have lost. He will hear my 
prayers ; he will be a witness that I am contending with 
the prince of darkness, and struggling to rid myself of the 
bonds of iniquity. 

That man is far from being under the influence of prayer, 
who lives in discord with his neighbors, and is more willing 
to expose their faults than to extol their goodness ; or who, 
himself, is characterized by his falsehood rather than truth ; 
perfidy than faithfulness 5 cruelty than tenderness ; or deceit 
than openess and candor. 

Who does not remember an hour when he knelt before 
God with a burdened heart ; when, indeed, his soul was 
weighed down with care and anxiety ; and the world ap- 
peared to him a dreary and desolate waste; and, at the 
same time, did not feel an emotion of joy springing up in 



HOURS OF DEVOTION. 251 

his breast — a holy influence that could only be derived from 
the one, unvarying source, of all our good ? O weak and 
perishing mortal, never cease thy prayers, nor weary in thy 
Devotions. 



THE END* 



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